Mona C. Duquette of West Hartford died peacefully at Gaylord Hospital on Monday, August 4, 2014 following months of physical challenges after a car accident in December. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts on October 27, 1933, she is predeceased by her parents Abel and Claire (Moffett) Duquette, brother, Verne and sister, Roseanne.
Mona was a proud graduate of Cathedral High School, Springfield College (B.S) andSouthern CT State University (M.S.). For 40 years, Mona was a well-known and respected Physical Education Teacher in West Hartford, spending most of her teaching career at Charter Oak Elementary School. Following her retirement, Mona volunteered at Charter Oak and Wolcott Schools where she continued to impact the lives of many children. Her endless energy and dedication to children will be remembered by all. Among her many proud accomplishments was being named Outstanding Physical Education Teacher by the Eastern District Assn. of the American Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 1985. Mona created the Charter Oak Folk Dance Group, was instrumental in the establishment of a Field Day for Special Education students and was director for the Townwide Track and Field Day. As a result, the West Hartford Townwide Field Day was named “The Duquette Invitational” to honor Mona after her retirement.
An avid sports fan, Mona loved her Red Sox and UCONN Basketball Teams. Mona was a devout Catholic and never missed a holiday, birthday or special event, always staying in touch with her friends through cards and letters. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and the West Hartford Retired Teachers. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her, especially her loving brother, Rev. Roy Duquette, cousins, Anita, John and Jay Salamon,Tim Moore, Kelly, Anita, Brendan, Brigid, and her special friends the Spratlin Family. Calling hours are on Thursday, August 7, 2014 from 4-7p.m. at the Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Church, 467 South Quaker Lane, WH. Everyone is asked to meet directly at Church. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mona’s memory to The Charter Oak Family Resource Center c/o the Bridge Family Center, 1022 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06107 or Gaylord Hospital Development Office, P.O. Box 400, Wallingford, CT 06492. A sincere thank you to all of the dedicated staff from Gaylord, Hughes Nursing and Rehab, Hartford Hosp. and Baystate Medical Center for their loving care.