Ethel Edith Kohn Duncan

She was born on August 19, 1928, at home on the family farm in Lawtons, NY, to the late Augustine and Cleofia ( Schmitt ) Kohn. Ethel married the late Francis (Frank) Duncan on April 10, 1948, at St. Martins R.C. Church in Landford, NY, the place where she was baptized 20 years earlier. Together, they had five children: Monica (John) Reid, Gowanda, NY; George (Jackie Traniello) Duncan, Falconer, NY; William (Pamela Say) Duncan, Springville, NY and Gold Canyon, AZ; Michael (Denise Koziel) Duncan, Holland, NY and Gilbert, AZ; and the late Catherine Duncan who passed away in 2018. Ethel has been blessed with 11 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren. Ethel is predeceased by her brother Francis (Rosie) Kohn and her sister Marcella (Dick) Mertle. Her sister Margerat (Junice) Stoddard resides in Florida. Ethel has countless relatives among the Kohn and Schmitt families.

Ethel grew up on a farm where she fed cattle and completed many chores, often before going to school. She drove a team of horses from a young age and eventually graduated to driving a tractor and farm trucks. She attended School #8, a one-room schoolhouse located on Ketchum Road, which is now a museum in North Collins, NY. She worked briefly as a hairdresser prior to taking her lifelong position at Gowanda Psychiatric Center. She worked full-time at the center for 30 years while also being a full-time mother to five children and retired after 30 years on the job. Well, kind of. People soon sought her out for her quality wallpaper hanging skills and she worked at Vera’s dry cleaners in Orchard Park, where her favorite customer Jim Kelly would swing by to say hello. Her retirement schedule also included knitting and giving away innumerable afghans, along with her famous pies, and meals for families in need – all between helping to watch her grandchildren. She was also blessed with many athletic children, grandchildren and great grandchildren including lacrosse , softball, basketball ,soccer, baseball , football and including two horse jockeys.

Ethel remained an active member of St. Joseph’s RC Church in Gowanda NY. She had served at times as a member of the mother’s club and twice as President of the Altar and Rosary Society, helping to raise money for charity. Best known for her faith in God and love of family, Ethel found great joy in serving those in need and even those not in need whom she just wanted to feel good. Two other big enjoyments in her life included playing cards with the girls and following sports. She was a big Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees fan, and loved to watch Tiger Woods play golf. At 96 years old, she relished family members stopping by and sending pictures. Ethel’s favorite two sayings included, “Don’t Give Up” and “Be Kind To Others,” but growing up, her children more often heard, “DON’T BE LATE” and “Make Your Bed!” May we use her journey through life to emulate our own lives.

Friends may call at the SCHINDLER FUNERAL HOME 44 Center St. Gowanda on Wednesday from 4:00 – 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday December 19, 2024 @ 9:00am from St. Joseph’s RC Church East Main St. Gowanda (please assemble at church) Interment to follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery Gowanda Fr. Innocent Diala to Celebrate

Memorials, if desired may be made to St. Joseph’s RC Church 26 Erie Ave. Gowanda, NY 14070.

“UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN”

“UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN”