Celebration of 50th with me Ryan and Grandma's sister Aunt Helen (far right in pink)
Family Picture 1976 left to right: Tim, Jane, Carol Ann, Don (dad), Susan, Don
Grandma on her wedding Day
Jane and her dad Joesph Byron Marshall
Coming out of the church some of there first steps as Don and Jane Duffy
Grandma and Grandpa on there wedding day
A relationship that has lasted over 50 years!It all began at Butte High School in Montana, where a baton twirler took notice to the Butte High Football Star. Don Duffy heard that Jane Marshall was interested. They did not know each other, so the rugged football star and the little baton twirler went on a blind date. Jane liked him even more as that date went on. Don clearly liked her as well as he got to know her more and more throughout the date. Don knew that this brunette beauty had something special about her so they went to their first dance together. The dance was called a “Mixer”. They were held after the football games at night. Jane wore something her mom made her it was a navy skirt with a little red vest. Don and Jane danced with each other the entire evening. Their interest in each other deepened. Since then Donald and Jane Duffy have been married for over fifty years now. Their early infatuation led into a loving relationship that has brought many blessings into their lives and into the lives of others. But where were they before their first date, and after?
Donald Edward Duffy was the youngest of a large family in a single mom home; his father left the family when he was still in a high chair. The Duffy family lived in the house connected to the town bar where the floors were dirt. His mother had to completely raise a family of seven boys and one girl on her own. They grew all their own vegetables and fruit so they could survive. Don’s brother Doe, closest in age to him, died just after returning home from serving his country at the age of about 20. While driving late at night he went off a cliff and died instantly. The hard work, heartache and close knit family of his youth would prepare Don for the family he would raise with Jane.
Jane Carol Marshall was also the youngest in her family consisting of four boys and three girls. As her family tried to survive through the depression they lived in a tent for a year while Jane was a young toddler. She remembers well the worries and heartache of World War II. Three of her four brothers served during that time. She often shares the memory of when the telegraph came to tell of the injury to her favorite brother Joe. He was later awarded the Purple Heart. She was well liked and a person of integrity as she grew up. This would prepare to become a loving wife and devoted mother.
While attending Butte High School, Jane was a baton twirler and Don kept himself busy playing football and baseball. Both had enjoyed dating other interested suitors before taking interest in each other. Jane once dated a young man that had told her if she was not in love with him that he would jump off the highest mountain in Butte, Montana. While dating John Coleman he loved to shower her with gifts. Once he gave her an orchid, this was a very big deal; she was the envy of all the ladies at Butte High. She also dated the star of the Basketball team, but he was just a little too hyper and a little too fast for her taste. Then one day during their Junior year something about Don caught Jane’s eye. She felt as though she would like to get to know him better. She spread the news through the frenzy of the grape vine that she would like to go out with him.
Don and Jane dated throughout their Junior and Senior year. After the blind date and their first dance, they went to both the Junior and Senior Prom together and many more “Mixers”. Their interest in each other continued, and their relationship blossomed. They had break ups but they were never very long and they always found themselves getting back together. As their Senior year was coming to an end, Don got a scholarship to the University of Wyoming to play football. After graduating he went to college in Wyoming while taking advantage of the scholarship. Jane stayed in Butte and worked for the Montana Power Company.
Don returned from Wyoming after one semester. He decided to go into the Army instead. Jane continued working at the Montana Power Company. The whole time Don was out in the Army, Jane wrote him constantly. In a sense, after Don’s absence in Wyoming and the Army they fell in love all over again through letters. When he returned from the Army they knew it was time for them to get married, they were ready.
The night that Don and Jane got engaged, is Jane’s most cherished memory of their courtship. It was Christmas Eve and they both got dressed up for the occasion. Jane remembers exactly what she wore. She bought a new white sweater and a skirt along with some gold clip on earrings for the special occasion. After Don picked her up from her house, he took Jane to the finest restaurant in Butte, Montana. The restaurant was called “Lydia’s”, and it is still there today. After enjoying a delicious meal they drove way up into the mountains in which they could see the breath taking views of Butte. There up in the mountains Don presented Jane with a diamond ring which had cost him 275 dollars and asked her to marry him. She immediately said “Yes!” Excited to begin their new life together they left the mountains and made their way to tell their family the happy news.
They were married, in a chapel just down the road from where they lived. It was a beautiful wedding in which all of Jane’s sisters were the bridesmaids and Don’s brother was his best man. Jane loves the pictures of her Dad taking her down the aisle of the chapel and all of the memories of the day. It was a beautiful ceremony.
After being married, Don and Jane moved to North Carolina where Don was stationed. Jane was not a big fan of North Carolina. She never could get used to the heat and Southern culture. A few months later Jane became pregnant with their first born. Their first born child was a girl, named Susan Lynn Duffy. She was born in July of 1956. They were very happy to have a little girl. After serving in the Army, Don went back to school at the University of Montana. Don received a degree in education and math. While attending school they had two sons. After Don graduated they found themselves in Seattle, Washington.
Shortly after moving to Seattle their marriage began to suffer. They would go to many dinner parties and enjoy themselves, but it really seemed they were missing something in their lives. Jane just couldn’t put her finger on it until they became friends with a couple. Don was struggling with his weight and found himself looking through the yellow pages to find someone who could help. Don came across the name of Dr. Smart. After going to Doctor Smart, Don and Jane became friends with him and his wife. This couple was different from other friends they had been associated with; they didn’t drink, or swear and seemed devoted to their family. Jane came to find out that they were Mormons or “LDS”. After finding this out they looked into the religion more, and found themselves taking the discussions from the missionaries. Soon Don and Jane became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They both agree that it was the decision to join the church that saved their marriage. Through the gospel their marriage and family have flourished. In a way it was like starting a new marriage the day they became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Today Don and Jane Duffy have been married for over 50 years. Because of the choices that they made of getting married, and then later joining the church, they have raised four children, sent out two sons and one daughter on missions. Don and Jane have sent out four grandsons on missions and now two of their granddaughters are married in the temple and they are both expecting their first great-grandchildren. All of their children and grandchildren have stayed active and raised their families in the Gospel. If Jane would not have taken notice of Don in her Junior year of high school, then I wouldn’t be here today. Don and Jane are my grandparents, and their oldest daughter Susan is my mother. I am so grateful that these High School Sweethearts decided to start a family, I love them very much.
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