Barbara J.  Duffee

Big Johnson’s won’t be the same without its most loyal patron-Barbara Duffee. Barb made the place glow and filled it with love and life- dancing with her friends and enjoying their fellowship and company.

Friends and family were “Bobbi’s” passion and delight. She loved to host and entertain. She was a member of Cornell's Bridge, Gourmet, and Wine clubs for many years. She relished the many parties that she threw at the farm and the large bashes at the log house. Barb was very active. Besides dancing, she enjoyed playing golf with her husband Tom and beloved friend Jimmy Stewart. You could find her scooting around in her golf cart or tending to her beautiful flowers on the farm that she and Tom moved to in 1968.

A special joy was living on the corner & hearing her friends blow their horns when they drove past. Barb had a busy life running a contracting company, farming, working at Leher McGovern Bovis & having her own Real Estate Company. In Blairstown NJ they had a barn that they used to host Friday night dances-and it was the talk of the town!

Barbara was an avid dancer-she owned a dancing academy in Caldwell after she graduated from high school. Barbara was accepted to be a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. She traveled from NJ to NYC on the bus daily as a teen. One day, while working at her father’s insurance company a devilishly handsome man came in to purchase insurance. He instantly knew that his “Bobbi” was the woman he would marry. Tom Duffee and Barb married on July 12, 1950.

Barbara Joan was born to Ruth and Peter Ori in Montclair New Jersey on May 18, 1929. Barbara is predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Nancy and Betty.

Barbara’s pride and joy were her children. She loved them with all of her heart. Her sons Tom (Julia) and Michael (Nancy). Barb will now join her best friend and daughter Patricia (Pat), who preceded her in death in March of 2014. Bobbi loved her grandchildren-Lisa, Tom, Ben (Kaytlin), Greg (Crystal), Marshall, Michael, Grant, Ashley (Sej) & Kyle (Rachael).

At Barbara’s request the calling hours will be private. She wanted one last party-so we will be celebrating her life at the log house this spring. We will let you know the details soon. Please join us to tell your favorite story of how Bobbi touched your heart. She will be forever loved.