On August 12, 2024, Martha Ann Duffy, 81, passed away peacefully in her Harwich home. She was born on January 5, 1943 in Lowell, MA to her loving parents, Patrick Joseph and Gertrude Pearl Duffy. She attended Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Lowell High School in 1960.

During her early years in Lowell, she started playing tennis at Shedd Park, where she became the CYO City Champ at age 14. As her abilities improved, opportunities to play in tournaments in New England presented themselves including one at the Narragansett Bay Club in Rhode Island. Her love of the sport remained with her throughout most of her adult life, playing in various USTA leagues.

As a high school student, there were not any school sports' teams for women in the 1950s. This didn't stop Martha. She tried out and became a "Girl Officer" a tradition at Lowell High. These officers were responsible for organizing and leading the annual Field Day parade and Memorial Day activities. This was one of her proudest achievements.

In 1960, her senior year of high school at age 17, she made the decision to enter the convent under the order of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart in Philadelphia, PA. She taught elementary school as Sister Martha Joseph in several places, Mahanoy City, PA, Corona, NY, and Atlanta, GA. During the summers, she attended D'Youville College in Buffalo, NY, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and later attended Georgia State where she earned her Master's Degree in Counseling. Although, she loved the work in her Catholic community, she was feeling a need for change. With faith as her guide, she knew that she could carry on the good work of the community but not have to live under the vows. So, in 1972, she left the convent with the clothes on her back and a small dowry from the Grey Nuns.

This is where Martha began her trajectory of success in the world of education. She taught at Holy Innocence Episcopal School, Atlanta, for several years. During her time there, her friendly, outgoing personality opened the door for her to a leadership position, Lower School Headmistress, at Miami County Day School, Miami, FL. She must have made an indelible mark there because, the next thing she knew, she was being recruited by Out-of Door Academy on Siesta Key, FL. Taking the Headmistress position in 1985, she found her wings. She seized so many remarkable opportunities, putting the school permanently on the map, demographically, financially and academically. There was no project too small or costly--she connected with the community and raised money from donors who willingly gave it to her. As she grew the school's enrollment to a more diversified population, she had a dream for a college-preparatory high school. With the help of a friend and board member, the school received a donation of 60 acres of land in the middle of nowhere to build the high school and the rest is history! This was the proudest moment in her career and another example of the tenacity of her spirit.

In 1997, she left Sarasota and headed back north where she completed 2 interim headships in 3 years. She still felt the calling for supporting the education of young children, and, as luck would have it, received a call from Community Day Public Charter School in Lawrence, MA, where she began her first public school experience. She remained in Lawrence for 10 years as a principal in the Lawrence Public School system. In 2010, she retired from education after dedicating 47 years!!!

Retirement was the time of her life, moving to her summer home on Cape Cod--time to devote to having fun while still focusing on doing good work. So, she rolled up her sleeves and got involved in all kinds of things exercise class, golf, pickleball, tennis, biking, and hiking along with volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, the Faith Family Kitchen, and the Cape Cod Council of Churches Christmas gift giving. Each year, she took 2 names off the tree at the Harwich Post Office and so enjoyed buying Christmas presents for children in need. And, in the cold winter months, she became a snowbird in Venice, FL, affording her the opportunity to continue her active life in a warm, sunny community.

Travel also became her focus, taking numerous golf trips to Ireland, Scotland, England, California, Arizona, and New Mexico as well as hiking in the National Parks in Utah. Other travel was through Vermont Bike Tours that landed her in Italy, France, Slovakia-Hungary, and Croatia. She and her biking companions were affectionately known as the "Go-Go Girls!" Her goal was to "continue to travel until I can't."--and that is exactly what she did! Last summer, 2023, she celebrated her 80 and 1/2 birthday by taking her partner to Paris!

As you can see, no grass grew under her feet! She was a fierce competitor in any sport, an adventurer, a risk taker, a leader, a wonderful mentor/advisor, quick-witted, lover of people, loving partner/spouse, trailblazer, but, most importantly a great friend to so many people in all walks of life. She will always be remembered for her kind, generous heart, her beautiful, broad smile and her unconditional love for her family and friends. The outpouring of love and support from family and friends during her final days as she battled and ultimately succumbed to cancer was a testament to Martha's big heart and the impact she had on so many people's lives.

She is survived by the love of her life, Mary Vocci Sullivan, her niece, Martha Kennedy and her husband, Dale, her niece, Brenda Hughes and her husband, Patrick, her nephew, Shaun McNamara and his wife, Carrie, grandnieces Megan Flaherty, her husband Sean and their son, Caden, Erin Collins, Brenna Collins (goddaughter), Katelyn McNamara, Wini Kennedy and grandnephews, Ryan, Jake and Brady Hughes, her spouse's children, Casey Sullivan and his wife, Rachel, Michael Sullivan, Jr., Jeana Donovan, her husband, Remington and their son, Isaiah, and Anna Sullivan and her partner, Davyd Nereo. Martha was predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Gertrude (Henderson) Duffy, her brother, Joseph Duffy, her sisters, Ellen (Duffy) McNamara Kettle, and Mary Duffy, and her grandnephew, Brian McNamara.

A funeral mass is being held at St. Mary of Magdala Church in Harwich, MA on Saturday, October 19 at 11am.

In lieu of sending flowers, please donate to either: Dana Farber Cancer Institute (Women Cancers) or Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod.