Karen Duffy of Hinsdale,IL died unexpectedly on September 24th at her home. She was born to Susan and Edward Duffy on October 23, 1966 in New York City. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Economics in 1988. She obtained a Masters degree from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in 1993.
Her business career encompassed leadership roles in real estate, investment banking, financial consulting - - including stints in New York at SG Cowen Securities, Smith Barney (Citigroup). She also served as CFO of MedPointe in New Jersey. Her most recent position was as Assistant VP and Assistant Treasurer, Treasury and Planning, at Allstate Insurance in Northbrook.
In 2006 Karen traveled to the country of Kazakhstan to adopt her nine month-old daughter, Caroline Valerya, who was the most treasured person in her life.
Karen is survived by daughter Caroline, her father Edward, and mother, Susan, her stepmother, Rhonda, brother, Edward, sisters, Suzanne Duffy and Catherine Polster and her brother-in-law John Polster. She is also survived by her nieces Elizabeth, Emily, Claire, and Lily Polster, and her nephew Benjamin Polster. Additionally, she is survived by the Iacovelli family of Greer, SC and her great aunt, Vera Reisert, her daughter’s nanny Carol Krzak, and other cousins and friends.
Karen was an avid walker, rower, and enjoyed music, but her greatest joy in her life was her daughter, Caroline. We will all miss her dearly. Keep us in your prayers.
Funeral Services for Karen will be held on Monday, September 28th at 11:00 AM in Woodstock Illinois at St. Mary Parish in Woodstock, IL. Visitiation will be held before the mass from 10:00-11:00 AM.
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Karen was one of the sweetest and talented people I have had the privilege to meet. We worked together when she was at Bear and then at MedPointe. Karen spoke often about adopting a child. It was a life goal. Karen, we will miss you!! Jim Burns
ReplyDeleteKaren was young, bright and very energetic. I got to know Karen as her Hinsdale real estate agent. We spent many Sunday afternoons together. I will miss our phone conversations as well as the emails. I will also miss dear Caroline wearing her red wig to all of our appointments. She stole the show every time!
ReplyDeleteI'm still in shock that Karen is no longer with us.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family. Karen will always be remembered and loved.
Andree Shields
Karen and the Duffy family are part of my very earliest memories, and we were fortunate enough to meet up again in high school before we moved away. My heart goes out to her daughter and the rest of her family. She was such a kind person. My prayers are with all of you.
ReplyDeletePenny Becker Dowdy
Karen's move to NJ was a great blessing to us Jersey Girls. Jody and I loved her as a sister. We have fabulous memories of our trips to the City, hanging out at the house and eating. Karen loved to cook and we loved to eat!Caroline was the joy of her life and we're thankful to have been a part of their lives. We will miss Karen tremendously. She was a gift. We're thankful for the time we had with her and will be lost without her. The Duffy clan will be in our prayers. We love you.
ReplyDeleteCheryl and Jody
Our prayers are with your family.
ReplyDelete-Christal and Drew Beyer, parents of Gabriel and Jamie from Grace Episcopal Preschool
Karen will be sorely missed. I had the privilege of working with Karen at Smith Barney. I enjoyed the determination and enthusiasm that she brought to work every day.
ReplyDeleteI know how much she wanted children and the joy she took in adopting and raising her daughter.
Our thoughts are with her family.
Bill Sprague
My thoughts are with you today, Susan and Ed, and with your wonderful children, Ed, Jr., Suzanne, Catherine. Over the years, I have admired each of you and all of you as a family. Little Caroline's future has been placed in the care of a most loving and protective family network, and in time, that bond will be sure to heal the acute sorrow experienced, today.
ReplyDeleteVery Sincerely... Joyce Childress (from Simi Valley, California).
I had the pleasure of meeting Karen through Grace Preschool. We had fun talking and getting to know each other at a mom's night out. I was so impressed when I met Karen. She was such a nice person and so easy to talk with. She made an impression on me. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and especially little Caroline. Eydie Jarosz, Mom from Grace Preschool, Hinsdale Illinois.
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