Beatrice M. (Wilson) Duffy

Beatrice M. Dufty, 86, of Matawan passed away peacefully with her son by her side on Sunday, October 29, 2023. Bea was born September 18, 1937 in I,ong Branch, NJ and was raised in Keansburg, NJ. She graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School, a proud Casey! While working for an attorney in Keyport she met and married her husband of 68 years James P. Duffy who was just discharged from the army. She gave birth to two children: James J. Duffy and Beatrice M. Duffy born one year apart to the day! Bea was very active in her community serving on the Matawan town council for 12 years and eventually becoming Mayor. She also served as fire commissioner and certified emergency management coordinator. She proudly served on the ladies' auxiliary of Hook and Ladder Fire Company # 1. She was also the wife of Fire Chief James P. Duffy and the mother of Fire Chief James J. Duffy. Bea started her career as a secretary to the chief of police in Matawan, NJ. She also worked in the detective bureau and was a police matron badge #36. After leaving the police department she became an associate with Bayshore Youth and Family Services. After leaving there she was appointed the position of Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the County of Monmouth and held the position for 24 years. While director of the department she became a member of the following orgahi2ations: Monmouth/Ocean Development council, Board of Directors, The Patriots Alliance, Work force Investment Board, United Way, Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Industrial Alliance, Jersey Shore Partnership. She received many awards including the Rose & Scroll Award, Assembly & Senate Award for Business Outlook, Silver Gull Award from the Monmouth/ Ocean Development Council, Spinnaker Award from Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, and many more. F`or many years she was the co-chair for the Monmouth County Republican club organization "Lincoln Day Dinner". She also coordinator the "The Fifth Wednesday Afternoon Club" at Squires Pub in West Long Branch. She attended classes at the NJ Fire College & State Safety Council and NJ Fire Protection & Prevention Association. She was an ardent supporter of the volunteer fire departments and all the firefighter. Bea was very active in her community serving on the Matawan town council for 12 years and eventually becoming mayor. She also was secretary of the Matawan Borough Republican Club. She served as fire commissioner and as certified emergency management coordinator. She was a past president and proudly served as a member of the ladies' axillary of Hook and Ladder Fire Company # 1 . She was recognized a by former Monmouth County Prosecutor in response to make a difference in child abuse and awareness. She received an award for outstanding contributions to children "Youth to Youth of NJ" by the United Nations of Youth. In her spare time, she a Jim enjoyed many vacations together especially their trips to Europe, she spent much of her time in her flower garden, was an avid reading with an extensive book collection. Bea was a HUGE Notre Dame fighting Irish football fan, never missing a game on TV and even went to South Bend Indiana to cheer them on in person. Most of all she enjoyed big holidays with the whole family taking great pleasure in her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is a communicant of St. Clements RCC in Matawan. Bea is predeceased by her parents Beatrice and John Wilson, her brother John R. Wilson, her daughter Beatrice M. Moelius and her loving husband James P. Duffy. She is survived by her devoted son James J. Duffy and his wife Debbi, her 4 grandchildren Katie Moelius-Cruz and her husband Arsenio, Kelly Moelius, Stanley "Bud" Moelius, and April Duffy. Bea was also blessed with 6 great grandchildren Nichole, Nicholas, Connor and Carter Jones, Autumn Dehmer and Savannah Cruz. Services will be Wednesday, November 1 at Days Funeral Home in Keyport from 4-8pm. On Thursday, November 2 there will be a mass of Christian burial at the Church of St. Clement in Matawan at loam immediately followed by interment at St. Gabriels Mausoleum in Marlboro, NJ In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude's Childrens Research Hospital. "Play like a champion today ...... "

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