Joanne (Flusche) Duffy

Joanne Flusche Duffy passed from this world and into the loving arms of her Lord on January 6th, 2023, surrounded by her children. Born July 15, 1940, in Decatur, Texas to Lawrence William and Anna Mae Bernauer Flusche. Joanne graduated from Our Lady of Victory High School, Ft. Worth, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of St. Thomas in Houston. While in college she met and fell in love with James Patrick Duffy, and following her graduation, they married on June 23, 1962.

Jim’s career took them all over Texas from Houston to San Antonio, Beaumont, Dallas to Libertyville, Illinois and back to Austin, Texas for retirement. Throughout her life she held many roles such as a teacher, administrator, and volunteer, but she took the most pleasure in being Mom and Nana. Joanne dedicated her life to making others' lives better and ensuring that the center of her children’s lives was their faith and their family. Sitting around the dining room or kitchen table after a delicious meal visiting and telling stories was always the hallmark of her family gatherings and one that she took great pleasure in.

Taking advantage of Jim’s early retirement, in 1995, the two enjoyed many hobbies together, especially that of travel and their shared pursuit of discovering family genealogy. Never one to be idle, Joanne loved crafting, especially if it involved tokens for children or special gifts for her grandchildren.

In Austin for the last 27 years, she was a devoted and active member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish where she took great joy in her many friendships. A few of the many parish and charitable organizations she helped organize or volunteer for include Small Christian Communities, Ladies Club, Krafty Ladies, St Catherine’s gift shop, Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Abiding Love Food Pantry, the National, Diocesan, and Deanery Council of Catholic Women, Funeral Ministry, Newcomers’ Welcoming Committee, Hospitably Committee, Bereavement Group, Mobile Loaves and fishes, Prime Timers, Bible Study Groups, Caritas of Austin and many, many others.

She was preceded in death by Jim, with whom she celebrated 51 years of marriage before his passing in December of 2013; infant daughters, Josephine Anne, and Christine Louise; her parents Lawrence William and Anna Mae Bernauer Flusche, her father and mother-in-law James Joseph and Kathryn Nolan Duffy; her sisters Della Mae Flusche and Mariana Flusche Simeroth and her husband Joseph Perry Simeroth.

Survivors include son Michael Thomas and wife Julie, her daughter Annette Louise and husband Gerard Tafallo, and her son James (Jim) Lawrence and his wife Mary; her 5 grandchildren, Jessica Theresa and husband Joseph Hoelscher, Patrick Ryan and wife Erin Upson, Megan Carmen, James Randall, and Joseph Lawrence; her two great-grandchildren, Lochlan Joseph and Lilah Jane Hoelscher; her sister-in-law Anne Duffy Weber and husband Ronald Weber; along with ten nieces and nephews and many other relatives.

Joanne began her journey of faith in Decatur, Texas, and it is fitting that we celebrate her there. The visitation will be at Hawkins Funeral home in Decatur, TX Friday, January 20, 2023, from 6:00pm – 8:00pm with a Rosary commencing at 7:00pm. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 21st at 10:00am at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Decatur, TX. Rite of Committal will be held after the funeral mass at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur at the family plot.

The family is very grateful to the wonderful and compassionate staff at Enclave Cedar Park and Suncrest Hospice for their wonderful care of Mom. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Joanne to Caritas of Austin or Abiding Love Food Pantry, Austin.