Barbara Jane Duff

Barbara Jane Duff, 94, passed away Saturday, September 12, 2026. Born February 3, 1932, in Sayre, Pennsylvania, Barbara was the daughter of Lee and Gertrude Gleockner and sister of Shirley June Ciavardini. Barbara graduated from Robert Packer Hospital School of Nursing on October 14, 1953. Just a few weeks later, on November 7, she married the love of her life, David Duff Jr., beginning a marriage that would last nearly 73 years and grow into a family of five children, 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and countless memories.

Barbara was, in every sense, tiny but mighty. Standing just 5 feet 1 inches tall, she was feisty, fierce, independent and often the smartest person in the room. She played basketball in high school, perhaps proving early on that her size was never going to determine what she could do. A registered nurse by training and by nature, Barbara worked as an RN throughout her life, including time as an ER nurse, general practice nurse and OR nurse, while raising her five children.

Her nursing instincts never really turned off. In the Duff household, there was little patience for unnecessary complaining. Barbara’s answer was often some version of: “walk it off.” But her greatest work was her family. Barbara was a devoted mother who loved her children fiercely and took immense pride in the family they built. She loved holidays, gathering around the table, telling stories and, above all, laughing together.

For years, she enjoyed crafting and making handmade gifts for loved ones, creating things that became lasting reminders of her thoughtfulness and creativity. She also had a spirit of service that reached far beyond her own family. Barbara participated in mission work, including helping to build and rebuild churches. Her faith and her church family were important parts of her life, and she cherished the people she met and served along the way. Barbara loved to travel and embraced the opportunity to see new places and make memories with the people she loved. She was also an enthusiastic college football fan, particularly of the Fighting Irish and Nittany Lions, to the point that plans occasionally had to accommodate the bowl games, even the birth of her youngest daughter, Rachel.

Barbara is survived by her husband, David Duff Jr., and their five children: Mark Duff (wife, Cheryl); children Camryn Duff and Allison Lester (children, Jack and Rivers). David Duff III (wife, Jami); children Kyle Duff (daughter, Islay), Joel Duff, Erin Timoney (children, Michael David, Izzy and Connor), Claire Beard (children, Hudson, Ella Hastings, Jackson and Lawson), and Tyler Duff. Debra Ellers (husband, Ed); children Andrew Case and Jessica Slusher (daughter, Hadley). Rebecca Hancock (husband, Charles); son Cory Hancock. Rachel Jarvie (husband, Alan). Barbara leaves behind a family who will miss her strength, her wit, her determination and her legendary chocolate cake.