Mary Dufort
Plainfield — An angel who walked among us has been granted her wings. Mary Joan “Mary Jo” Dufort, 83, passed away peacefully at Pierce Memorial Home in Brooklyn, Sept. 4, 2023. She was born in Short Hills, N.J., daughter of the late Mary Theresa (O´Reilly) and Thomas Smith. Mary Jo is survived by her devoted husband, Dr. Robert T. Dufort; and her four children and their families: Patricia Ng (Michael), Thomas Dufort (Christine), Stephen Dufort (Cathy) and Catherine Kuiper (Jason). Mary Jo was also a beloved ¨Gammie” to six very lucky grandchildren on whom she doted. Many beloved dogs also benefited from her boundless love of animals.
Mary Jo played many roles over a lifetime characterized by her service to and support of others. As a Navy wife, she moved many times throughout her life and was able to effortlessly establish meaningful, lifelong friendships. With countless love letters and care packages, she always kept her husband feeling loved when he was deployed and stood proudly by his side when he was home. She skillfully managed to simultaneously keep the home fires burning when he was away. She treasured the lasting bonds created and was a steadfast support to all whom she loved.
Mary Jo committed countless hours of her time volunteering to help others through the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, numerous committees, and groups through her church and, perhaps her favorite, as a docent at the Virginia Zoo, sharing her love of animals with others. The roles that were of most import to her were those of mother and wife. Mary Jo was incredibly driven by an absolute devotion to family. She was able to seamlessly move her family on many occasions and was a cheerful ¨Mom’s Taxi¨ to a myriad of extracurriculars to her four very active children. She was a wife, mother, friend and occasional ¨Armed Camp Commandant¨ — whatever it took to keep her family together and moving forward. She was a steadfast companion to her husband and children through life’s milestones, always putting her family’s needs ahead of her own. Her soul will live on forever through her spirit and devotion. She was always with her children, walking beside when a shoulder was needed, nudging from behind when required and, as is the case now, going ahead to lay the groundwork in the next setting. She is, without a doubt, loving and supporting us all from heaven.
The family invites all who loved her at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, to a Mass of Christian burial at Saint John the Apostle Church, 10 Railroad Ave., Plainfield. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, Route 12, Plainfield. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at Dougherty Brothers Funeral Home, 595 Norwich Road, Plainfield. www.doughertybrosfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Jo’s memory can be made to local animal support centers or to a local Alzheimer’s Association.
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