Nancy T. Duffy passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh. She was 85.
A resident of Cornwall for 7 years, she previously lived in Westminster, SC, New Rochelle, and Wheeling, IL.
Nancy was born on June 29, 1931 in Joplin, MO to the late Harold and Corrinne (Burress) Thiell. When Nancy was young, her father was a member of the Coon-Sanders Nighthawks Orchestra which meant they moved frequently. She lived in many cities throughout the Midwest before her family settled in Chicago. After high school, Nancy graduated from the Henrotin School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse.
On May 18, 1957 she married her best friend, William C. Duffy, at St Jerome’s Church in Chicago. Bill and Nancy later moved to New York in 1962. In the 1970s she resumed her nursing career, working at everal medical facilities in Westchester County. She later continued her education and became one of the first Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in the area. In 1985, she and her husband retired to South Carolina.
Nancy was involved in the P.T.A. and the Girl Scouts; she was also a wonderful cook who enjoyed entertaining friends. In retirement, she learned to play golf, enjoyed boating, and was a member of the Chickasaw Point Women’s Club. However, her true passion was to be a part of community theatre productions. She was an integral part of many plays and musicals in South Carolina for more than 23 years. When Nancy and Bill returned to New York in 2007, she joined local troupes in Orange County, including the “Hotsie Totsies”.
Nancy is survived by her daughter, Meg Cusumano & her husband Guy of Maybrook; her son, Jim Duffy & his wife Adrienne of Hopewell Junction; her grandchildren, Kate Janeczko, Eileen Kemp (Chris), Jessica & Matthew Duffy; and several nieces & nephews. She was also “G.G.” to her great-grandson Everett with whom she spent many Sundays.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents; her husband Bill in 2011; her sister & brother-in-law Mary Alice and Jim Jackson; and brother & sister-in-law Bud & Betty Thiell.
Nancy will always be remembered as a caring person who could be counted on to help others who needed assistance and to be an advocate for the voiceless.
The family would also like to thank Martha Black for being such a good friend to Nancy.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 30 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A Funeral Service will begin at 7 p.m. immediately following the calling hours. On Saturday, October 1, a graveside service will take place at 9 a.m. at the Orange County Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 111 Craigville Road, Goshen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Feed the Children at www.feedthechildren.org.
For directions, online condolences, and memorial donations, you can visit Nancy’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.

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