Mary Louise Duffy

Mary Louise “Bitsy” Duffy, 95, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away February 25, 2023 from COVID.

Bitsy was born January 13, 1928 in Gainesville to John and Augusta (Flusche) Bezner.  She grew up the youngest of 9 on the Bezner farm on Highway 82 east of Lindsay.  She had many tales about life on the farm with her family, including the story about her brothers bringing the family horse, Snippy, into the house when her parents were gone.  Bitsy attended school in Lindsay and graduated from Lindsay High School.  She was very fond of her teachers in Lindsay, in particular Sr. Julie Alphose with whom she corresponded for many years.  Bitsy also attended Cooke County College.  While in college she joined the Gainesville Community Circus as a tightrope walker and trapeze artist.  She was given the nickname of “Bitsy” by one of the clowns who told her “Why you’re just an itsy bitsy thing!”  Bitsy loved being in the circus.  She also worked at National Supply, and at WalMart in her later years.

Bitsy married Bernard Duffy from Oklahoma City on May 31, 1963 in Denton, Texas and became step mother to 9 year old Bill.  In 1966 she and Bernard adopted a baby girl, Julie.

Bitsy loved all animals, especially dogs and cats.  She was a huge football fan, always rooting for the Dallas Cowboys, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and whomever the underdog was (unless they were playing the Cowboys or Notre Dame).  She enjoyed playing cards and traveling; she especially loved weekend trips with her brothers and sisters-in-law to watch the horse races, and going on cruises with friends.  She was always very involved in supporting St. Mary’s School and whatever activities Julie was involved in.  Even though she had a small family herself, she insisted on driving a station wagon for several years so she could drive kids to field trips.

Bitsy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gainesville until 2007 when she moved to Owasso, Oklahoma where she was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church.

Bitsy was preceded in death by:  parents John and Augusta; husband Bernard; brothers William, Hugo, Walter, Raymond, Herbie, Ralph, and Rufus; sister Elfrieda Woods; Bezner sisters-in-law Margaret, Florence, Oleta, Polly, Nora, and Gladys; Duffy sisters in law Norma, Irene, and Vivian; brothers-in-law Bomar Woods, Francis Duffy, Victor Duffy, James Duffy, and John Duffy; stepson Bill Duffy; great grandson Ezra Wendt and several nieces and nephews.

Survivors include:  daughter Julie Dulek and husband John of Tulsa, grandchildren Meghan Huddleston (Clayton) of Gainesville, Zach Rhoden (Ali) of Tulsa, Nick Rhoden of Oklahoma City, Grace Rhoden of Tulsa and Sarah Wendt (Ben) of Kansas City; great granddaughters Trinity, Liberty, Iris and Ruby; great grandson Brock; sister-in-law Sue Duffy of Denton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom she loved dearly.

A rosary will be held at 6 pm on Wednesday, March 1 at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home with visitation to follow. A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 am on March 2 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lindsay.  Interment at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery will follow the service.

Pallbearers are Zach Rhoden, Nick Rhoden, Shane Rhoden, Robby Bezner, and Jeff Gerken.  Those serving as honorary pallbearers are Steve Bezner, Lonnie Ray Bezner, Will Bezner, Jay Bezner, Gary Bezner, Russell Bezner, and Pat Duffy.

In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to St. Mary’s School, 931 N. Weaver St., Gainesville, TX 76240 or Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, P.O. Box 580460, Tulsa, OK 74158-0460.