Obituary of Mary Dufel

Mary Dufel, ?Betty? to her close family, died on May 13, 2006, at St. Mary?s Hospital in Amsterdam. Born in Fort Johnson on December 28, 1921, she lived nearly all her life in Amsterdam. She graduated from Amsterdam High School in 1939 and on May 14, 1949 she married Arthur C. Dufel. Together they lived and raised a family on Church Street in Amsterdam. She worked for over 45 years with the New York Telephone Company as an operator and clerk in Amsterdam, NY and later in Schenectady. Her voice was known to many as ?operator 37? in pre-direct era. Her husband Arthur died in 1976 and with that, a big part of her died as well. As the last of her generation, she was also predeceased by her parents, Chester Dunagan and Mary Elizabeth Morck Dunagan, and all her siblings: Martin, Thomas and Norman Dunagan and Madeline Dunagan Hare. She is survived by her three children, four grandchildren and one great grand child: Nancy Klug and her husband Walter and son Mark of Amsterdam; Gary Dufel and his wife Deborah and sons Christopher and Gregory of Connecticut; Mary Theresa Livermore and daughter Jennifer and son Aryan of Spencerport, NY. Mary Dufel is also survived by brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Floyd and Amelia Dufel of Schenectady, Eleanor Dunagan of Gloversville, Marion Drumm of Massachusetts, and Martha Jones of Albany, numerous cousins descended from the Morck family of Amsterdam, as well as many nieces, nephews, and good friends, including her very special life long friend Sr. Mary Theresa Murphy. During her life she was very active in youth sports programs in Amsterdam, in various activities at St. Joseph?s Church, and with the Telephone Pioneers of America. Her interests also included life long involvement with sewing and family history. Although most of her contemporaries have predeceased her, she will be remembered and missed by many. In memory of her, please feel free to donate to St. Mary?s Hospital Foundation, 427 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010, Amsterdam Memorial Hospital Foundation, 4988 St. Hwy. 30 North, Amsterdam, or Mt. Loretto Nursing Home, 302 Swart Hill Road, Amsterdam or a favorite Charity?or simply think of her at times. As long as one person alive today thinks of Mary, a part of her will live. Relatives and friends are invited to a graveside service that will be held on Monday at 1p.m. at St. Joseph?s Cemetery in Ft. Johnson.