Rosalyn (Rose) Carney Duff of Rockledge, FL, a long time Brevard county educator, passed away peacefully at the age of 101 on July 15, 2024. Her legacy of love, kindness and giving will continue to live on in her family, whom she loved so much.

Born on November, 11, 1922, in Dunbar, West Virginia, to Jonathan and Virginia Carney, Rose was one of 12 children. Growing up during the Great Depression taught Rose to rely on family – as monetary possessions were hard to come by. Sharing with hersiblings became central and led to a rich life of familial experiences that she would carry with her all her life.

After graduating from high school in Dunbar, she met John Duff, Jr. They eloped in July, 1941, when he was 19 and she was 18. Rose and John moved to Louisville, KY, where he attended the University of Louisville dental school. Rose contributed to the war effort by working at the Vultee Aircraft company and also in a cigarette factory in town to help finance John's way through school.

In 1950, they moved to Biloxi, MS, where John was stationed for a time as a Captain at Keesler Air Force Base. In the late 1950's, they decided to move to Florida. He took a residency in Arcadia, FL.

During their time in Arcadia, Rose commuted to Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. She graduated with a degree in Biology Education. She also attained a multi-level certification to teach in elementary through high school. In early 1963, Rose and John decided to move to Brevard county, FL, home of the burgeoning aerospace business. They chose to live in Rockledge and found a house on the Rockledge Country Club golf course. This seemed a great fit, as they both had been avid golfers and tournament winners. Rose had even broken 80 in her life.

She began her teaching career in 1963, at Rockledge Elementary. She then went on to teach at Cocoa High School, Anderson Elementary and Clearlake Middle School, where she taught for 18 years. During her teaching career, Rose knew and worked with pioneering Brevard educators: Dr. Robert Anderson and Mr. Robert Blubaugh, both from her home state of West Virginia, Dr. Richard Blake and Dr. Joe Lee Smith. Early in her teaching career in Brevard, Rose was privileged to be one of a group of science educators to tour Complex 37 on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. When her teaching career ended in 1989, she went to work with John in his dental practice until he retired.

Rose is predeceased by John, who passed away in 2019. They were married for 77 years. She is survived by her and John's four children, Jean (Barry) Wilkes, of Canton, NC, Sue (Robert) Husby, of Sautee, GA, John (Eileen) Duff, III, of Rockledge, FL and Jane (David) Jollay of Cocoa, FL. They also had six granddaughters: Rachel (Neil) Torda, Shannon (Wes) Ledford, Hillary (Brandon) Lowe, Whitney (Keith) Worthington, Claire Mayorga and Vanessa Jollay. Later, along came nine great grandchildren: Rose Torda, Abbie, Henry and Walt Ledford, Laura and Lila Lowe and Grayson, Julianna and Miles Mayorga.

While Rose led a busy and full life, to many Rose was simply and sincerely known as Mom Mom. It was in this role as Mom Mom she found her greatest joy. Always the teacher, she would guide her family with a gentle firmness. She was the heart and soul of her house, the rock of her family and the beacon that drew the family together from afar.

The family enjoyed gathering and enjoying meals, always prepared with loving care by Mom Mom and John, who, of course, had his nickname, Paw Paw. They took pride in cooking true West Virginia fare, such as pinto beans, cornbread, greens and pork chops.

Rose and John loved traveling, and during all their years together, they visited many European countries and Australia. Their trip to Scotland was highlighted when they joined friends to play the legendary home of golf, St. Andrews. Rose and John traveled across the United States and Canada, often in John's Cessna 195, or in their RV. They visited Alaska five times. Each time enjoying the salmon fishing, with Rose often hauling in a bigger fish than John.

In 2022, Rose celebrated her 100th birthday with a large party of family, co-workers from teaching and friends at the Rockledge Methodist Church. She truly loved the party and it served as the last big get together she would have in her life.

At her request, Rose will be interred with her beloved John in the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL. She requested no service.

We love and miss you, mom mom.

Though my heart has grown heavy,
And doesn't quite feel the same,
It still beats with the tune of your memory,
And echoes with the sound of your name.
And never have I forgotten,
Whose blood runs through my veins,
Coursing through my heart and soul,
Where a part of you remains.

Author: Christie Starkweather