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Adapted from the Dover Post
Hartly, DE
Friends of the late Ethel M. Duke, 78, of Hartly, may call on the family between 6 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford St., Dover, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15.
Mrs. Duke died Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at Pinnacle Rehabilitation & Health Center, Smyrna.
Born March 7, 1931, in Hartly, she was the daughter of the late Brady and Beatrice Melvin Thompson.
As a child Mrs. Duke lived in the Elizabeth W. Murphy School in Dover, an institution that remained very dear to her. While primarily a wife, mother and homemaker, she worked during the holiday season at Montgomery Ward and as a seamstress at J.C. Penney Co. She also worked privately as a seamstress, and enjoyed cake decorating, sewing and crocheting.
Mrs. Duke is survived by her husband of 57 years, James Duke of Hartly; three sons and their wives, Daniel and Michelle Duke of Dover, David and Vickie Duke of Ellendale and Douglas and Robbi Duke of Bowers Beach; and a daughter, Deborah Duke of Hartly.
She also is survived by five grandchildren, Lauren Martin and her husband, Eric, Christopher Duke, Amber Duke, Andrew Duke and his fiancée, Ashley Yerkie, and James Duke; three brothers, Ray Thompson of Clayton, Eugene Thompson of Hartly and Gilbert Thompson of Rehoboth; and three great-grandchildren, Austin Duke Walls, Corey Duke and Aubree Duke.
Interment was held at Sharon Hills Memorial Park in Dover, DE
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mrs. Duke’s name may be made to the Elizabeth W. Murphey School, 14 E. Division St., Dover, DE 19901; or Delaware National Alliance on Mental Illness, 884 Walker Rd Dover, DE 19904.
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