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Dorothy Duffy (nee Fortunata Minutolo), 94, passed away on June 12, 2022 in Shelby, NC. She
was surrounded in her final days by her loving family, caregivers and friends, and the capable
and caring doctors and staff of the Atrium Health Hospital in Shelby. Dorothy was preceded in
death by her husband of 53 years, Roger F. Duffy, who died at the age of 81 on March 31, 2007.
The viaduct between Oakmont and Verona is named after Dorothy’s husband, Roger. Dorothy is
survived by her six children, their spouses, 17 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. (The
names of her survivors are listed below). She is also survived by many nieces and nephews,
dear relatives, her first cousin, Ralph Falbo, and Mary D’Antonio and family.
Dorothy was born on November 29, 1927 to Mariano and Theresa (Daisy) Minutolo in
Oakmont, PA. Her father was born in Piano di Sorrento, Italy in 1896 and her mother was born
in San Giovanni in Fiore, Calabria, Italy, in 1905. They were Italian immigrants and came to
America for a better life. Dorothy had two sisters, Kay (Catherine Timonere) and Angie (Angela
Patton); she was preceded in death by Kay in 1987 and Angie lives in Bradford, PA.
Dorothy spent the majority of her life in Oakmont, PA. She attended schools in Oakmont, and
graduated from Oakmont High School in 1944 at the age of 16. She later took college courses
at the University of Pittsburgh. Dorothy said that she graduated on Friday and went to work on
Monday to support herself and her parents. Dorothy had a charisma and enthusiasm that was
obvious and contagious. A kind executive who saw her potential and work ethic, encouraged
her to take a job as a medical secretary in Oakland near the University of Pittsburgh at a
doctor’s office and that spring-boarded her into another world of opportunity. She was a first-
generation Italian-American, grew up during the depression, and created her life by working
hard, being creative, and seizing opportunities. She grew up poor, but with love, and always
“made something out of nothing.”
Dorothy met Roger Francis Duffy at a dance ballroom in Pittsburgh called “Where the Kings
meet the Queens,” and they were married in 1954. She went dancing with her friends 4 nights
a week and was great at the jitter-bug. Dorothy and Roger first lived in Squirrel Hill, PA, and
then built a house next door to her parents in Oakmont to raise 6 children. It was a tiny house
with a big back yard – 2 bedrooms upstairs- one for the boys and one for the girls.
Dorothy and Roger were very political and jumped into campaigns and causes with both feet.
Dorothy was a delegate to the 1972 Democratic Presidential convention, ran for the town’s
Council while she was pregnant, served on the Home Rule Study Commission, served on the
Democratic Committee in Pittsburgh, ran for County Commissioner using the slogan, “Why Not
Dorothy Duffy?” and more. She supported other candidates, wrote letters, went door-to-door
to campaign, organized and signed petitions, had a parade in downtown Pittsburgh (The
Pittsburgh Press called it “Dorothy Duffy Day”) and expressed her views with conviction and
passion. Her latest campaign at age 93 was to have the Confederate monument in Shelby’s
town square removed and relocated. She got hundreds of names on a petition and spoke with
confidence and clarity at the Cleveland County’s (NC) official meeting just a few months ago.
Her husband, Roger, a decorated World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge at
18 (Bronze Star with Valor), and a graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, was also
committed to political action, and served as the Oakmont Mayor, on the town Council, and in
the Pennsylvania State Legislature for 14 years. Each May and November, they and the family
charged into action for the primary and general elections.
Dorothy was a homemaker for many years, but loved being out of the home! She and Roger
worked hard. She took care of both of her parents and many, many friends and neighbors. She
worked downtown as a jury investigator and later as a clerk to the Honorable Judge Joseph
James, of the Court of Common Pleas. In 2005, after Dorothy retired, they moved to Shelby, NC
to be closer to their daughters, Crissy and Suzy (in Gastonia), and to avoid the Pittsburgh
winters. While it was difficult to leave life-long friends, they immediately became part of the
community and joined their church. Dorothy was a people-person; she was curious about
everyone and their story, and questioned them (some say interrogated) with passionate
interest. For the past two years, she set up an advice and conversation table at the Saturday
Farmer’s Market in Shelby and gave out advice to people of all ages – with sincerity, candor,
and humor.
All of those who knew Dorothy from across the United States and Europe (especially The Italian
Mammas, Mimma, Franca, Lele, Cristina, Michelle), understood that her love language was
food – and in particular meatballs. She wrote and published a cookbook called “Around
Fortunata’s Table” with her recipes, her mother’s recipes, life stories, and her unique Italian
perspective. The proceeds went to Holy Angels in Belmont – an amazing organization which
cares for physically and mentally fragile children and adults. She added this quote to her
cookbook: “Food comes down to one thing. It brings people together – brings friends together
– brings enemies together for that matter. There are very few things in the world that have
that kind of power.” (Source: Tim Love) Dorothy brought her meatballs to many folks – doctors,
nurses, audiologists, bank tellers, friends, neighbors, teachers, deacons, and priests. She
carried them in her purse (sometimes frozen) -- you would catch the scent of garlic and parsley
as she passed by. She always said “use a heavy hand” when making meatballs. They were her
way to connect with people, to love, to say thank you, to feed their souls, and to say remember
me. Other dishes served the same purpose too: eggplant parmesan, lasagna, apple pies, and
pizzelles. Later in life her beloved caregivers helped her make her delicious food and delivered
it to many, including the Boys & Girls Club in Shelby. Many people sat around her table and
enjoyed her food, conversation, and the unexpected! There was always room at the table for
one more and you really never knew what was going to happen.
In terms of a legacy, it is family. Family was everything to Dorothy. That was her mission every
day. She added people to the family ... so it was pretty big. Another part of her legacy is she
believed in people. Since her passing, so many have said to us – she “believed in me.” So, a part
of her legacy is about believing in someone else – looking in their eyes and saying “I believe in
you.” And, of course, her legacy is the power of food – that generous, somewhat maniacal
passion. And prayer ... Dorothy prayed for us – and loved St. Francis, Padre Pio, Edel Quinn, and
the Blessed Mother, Mary. Her prayers were powerful and she wrote that her favorite line of
prayer was: “May the Divine Assistance always remain with ___ (family, my children,
grandchildren...).” We pray that Dorothy’s spirit remains with you all and that you will carry her
qualities and lessons forward in your lives.
A funeral mass was held on June 16, 2022 in Shelby, NC. The full obituary and an In Memoriam
page are on the website of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home (cmbfh1@carolina.rr.com). A
Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Dorothy on Sept. 17, 2022 at 11am at Holy Family Parish (St. Irenaeus Catholic Church), Oakmont, PA, and an interment service will follow at the Verona Cemetery in Oakmont. In
lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Holy Angels, (https://www.holyangelsnc.org) or the
Boys & Girls Club of America in Shelby, NC (bgccleveco.org). Local arrangements entrusted to BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & ALTERNATIVE SERVICES INC. Oakmont
Family:
Suzanne and Stephen Hannon; Justin and Rachel Hannon, and Cora, Laine and Grant; Stephanie
Hannon Stauning and Jonathan Stauning; John D. and Hayley Hannon, and Keenan, Hollin and
Auden Hannon; David and Jamie Hannon; Kathryn Hannon Pearson and Christopher Pearson,
and Jack Pearson.
Roger Duffy and Heidi Olson; Lucas Olson Duffy and Lila Olson-Duffy
Diane Duffy and Jeffrey Birrell, Clarke, Grace and Reme Birrell
Charles Duffy and Bonnie Hogue Duffy, Matthew and Ryan Duffy
John Duffy and Nathalie Cadilhac Duffy, Alexander and Camille Duffy
Cristina and Patrick Hayes, William, Sophia and Andrew Hayes
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