September 5, 1930 – May 29, 2025

Susan Duff, who carried her family through a lifetime of adventures from Pennsylvania to Japan and beyond, passed away peacefully on May 29th, 2025 at Golden Empire Convalescent hospital in Grass Valley at the age of 94.

She was born in 1930, in Trauger PA, and graduated from Norvelt High School. Her time at college was interrupted by a move to Japan to be with her husband John, whom she had married in 1953. John was a career officer in the United States Army and they were stationed across the United States, as well as Japan and Germany. As a military wife, Susan showed remarkable resilience managing the household and raising their children during John’s frequent deployments.

After John’s retirement from the service, they settled in Harvard MA, where they built a home and raised their family. After 25 years they moved to Grass Valley in 1999 to be closer to their son, daughter, and granddaughter. She was an avid gardener who carried a piece of her family history with her wherever she went – faithfully transplanting a treasured rose bush from her mother’s yard to each new home during their many moves. That same rose bush now blooms in her daughter’s yard in Nevada City.

She is survived by her brother Paul Artim of Latrobe PA, and her son John, son-in-law Ken Krugler and granddaughter Jenna Krugler, all of Nevada City. She is preceded by her parents Andrew and Ethel, husband John, and her daughter Chris.

A funeral mass was held on Monday, June 23, 2025, at Saint Patrick’s in Grass Valley.