Obituary of Eugenie Mitchie Durfy (Ball)

In Loving Memory of Eugenie Mitchie Durfy (Ball)
September 24,1934 – February 15, 2025

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our mother Eugenie (Jeanie) Durfy on February 15, 2025, at Lanes Retirement Home, St. John’s, NL.
Jeanie was born and raised in Corner Brook to Janie and Archibald Ball and was the fourth of five children. She was a true Corner Brooker, living most of her life on the west coast – a place which she loved for all its natural beauty and many friends she had since her school years. After finishing high school, Jeanie completed her commercial course and began her employment in the office at the North Star Cement Plant. Wanting to explore other parts of the province, she and her good friend headed to St. John’s where she was offered a position at the American base (Fort Pepperrell). But Mom always believed “West Coast was the Best Coast” and soon moved back home where she went to work in the Magistrate’s Office.

Jeanie was introduced to the love of her life of 63 years, Donald, a young man “from away” who was transferred by Canada Packers Ltd to Corner Brook from Southern Ontario. They were introduced by friends and married in 1961. They quickly settled into married life, where mom was busy with 4 kids all under the age of 4!  She always found time for us, making sure we were ready for school, properly groomed for Sunday school and that we made it to all the sports games and activities like guiding outings, swimming excursions and so much more.

Mom was the family athlete. When we were younger, she was an avid bowler and then shifted her skills to curling, winning many bonspiels in the women’s curling league in Corner Brook. Mom and her friends were avid cross-country skiers and some of the first members of the ski club in Massey Drive. Once the family had grown and moved out, Mom took up golf, and she and her golf girls could be found most summer days on the Blomidon golf course. Mom skied into her 70’s and golfed regularly into her 80’s.

Jeanie also was involved with the ladies’ auxiliary at the long-term care facility for many years, where she could be found volunteering at the facility’s gift shop. 

Once grandchildren came onto the scene, Mom and Dad took on the role of grandparenting with gusto and spent many weeks each year visiting and spending time with their grandkids, across Canada and internationally. Mom played an important role helping Carol and John in Ontario with their newborn twins for many weeks – Grandma was built for washing and feeding babies.
In 2009, Mom and Dad downsized and moved to the “West Valley Road” apartments where they lived for close to 15 years, enjoying the company of friends and shared many lively card games several times a week. They made the difficult decision to leave their beloved west coast in 2024 and move to St. John’s, where their daughter and son-in-law could assist them with their needs as they aged.
She loved her children and grandchildren very much and they will miss her smile, her wit, and her just being “The Little General”!  Left behind to lovingly remember her are Denise (Dean Sheppard), Robert (Shireen), John (Carol) and Sean (Tracy). Grandma has joined her heavenly grandson Willie and will be missed by her cherished grandchildren: Stephanie, Michael, Ryan, Connor, Kennedy, Reilly and Matthew. She also leaves behind her sister Helen Hiscock, sister-in-law June Durfy and brother in-law Mac Allison. Mom was predeceased by Dad this past September.

The Family would like to thank the staff of Lanes Retirement Home for their compassionate care during her stay there.

Donations in Eugenie’s memory can be made to Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador www.eastersealsnl.ca or Fighting Blindness Canada https://www.fightingblindness.ca/. 

A celebration of Mom’s life will be held later this summer in Corner Brook.

Remember who you are and where you come from; otherwise, you don’t know where you are going.