Susanne M. Duffy

Susanne M. Duffy, cherished daughter and sister passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2021.  She leaves her brother Michael Duffy and lifelong friends too numerous to list, including her extended Amity family. She was predeceased by her parents Frank and Rita O’Dea Duffy.

Susanne was a beloved and iconic history teacher at Amity High School from 1969 to 2007, where she touched the lives of thousands of students and their families. She was an inspiration to decades of students and counted many of them as her friends.

 At Amity, she won numerous awards, including Amity Teacher of the Year, PTSA Teacher of the Year, The General Electric Star Award, The Dartmouth College Award, The American Legion Government Teacher Award and multiple yearbook dedications.  In her own academic career, Sue earned degrees from Southern Connecticut State University, The University of Connecticut, and Fairfield University. Susanne also lectured as an adjunct professor at Southern Connecticut State University and Quinnipiac University from 1992-2017. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Victory Church, St. John Vianney campus, 300 Captain Thomas Blvd., West Haven on Friday January 22 at 9 o’clock.  Interment will follow in Centerville Cemetery, Hamden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.  Please list “Duffy Family, 243 Bellevue Ave., West Haven, CT. 06516” in the acknowledgement section, so that contributions may be recognized.

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LINK TO SUSANNE'S FUNERAL SERVICES ON ZOOM

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The below is an excerpt from an awards ceremony, documenting Sue's career accomplishments:

Susanne M. Duffy, taught at the Amity Regional School District from 1969 through 2007, and earned her degrees from SCSU, UCONN and Fairfield University. From 1982 through 1992, she worked as the history department chairperson. She served as an adjunct professor at SCSU and Quinnipiac University from 1992 to 2017.

Susanne authored, co-authored or supervised additions or changes to the curriculum that included Environmental Science, Russian, Asian and Latin American History, American Ethic History, Critical Issues, Psychology, Sociology, U.S. History I and II, and adaptations for advanced placement and special education needs. Susanne participated in numerous activities including Debate Club, Model UN, Youth & Government, Project Vote, Islamic-American Club, PTSA executive committee, district-wide committees, and many sporting events and dances.

As a result of all the opportunities presented to her by the Amity community, especially her students and peers, Susanne was honored with two yearbook dedications, the Amity Teacher of the Year Award, the PTSA Teacher of the Year Award, the General Electric Star Award, the Dartmouth College Award, and the American Legion Government Teacher Award. She was named a finalist for the Quinnipiac University Celebration of Excellence Award.

Any success that Susanne achieved was the result of the efforts of many people: Frank, Rita & Mike Duffy – the family that supported everything she did; Dr. Thomas Farnham – the professor who encouraged all her academic efforts; Kathy Coords – the teacher who taught her how to be an Amity teacher; Joe Proffitt and Leo Scillia – the history chairmen who taught her so much about leadership; the wonderful history department faculty who were always models of professionalism and great friendship; and her Amity students who truly deserve this award for all the motivation, encouragement, and humor they provided every day.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Susanne M. Duffy, please visit our floral store.