Margaret Duffy Nadeau

Margaret Elaine Marie Duffy Nadeau passed away peacefully on October 12, 2026, after a brief illness, leaving behind a family who loved her deeply and a community whose lives were made brighter by her kindness, generosity, faith, and caring spirit.

Margaret was born on August 7, 1942, in Proctor, Vermont to Joseph Patrick Duffy, Sr. and Anna Duffy while they were vacationing in VT. She spent her early childhood living in Queens, NY before her family moved to Chittenden, VT in 1949.

Margaret’s education took her through several schools. She began grade school in Queens, NY. Once she moved to VT, she continued grade school at St Peters in Rutland, VT. In fifth through tenth grade, she split her school year between St Paul’s in St Petersburg, FL and Mount St Joseph Academy in Rutland, VT. Her final two years of high school were at MSJ. One of her proudest accomplishments during high school was being selected to participate in Girls State during her junior year. She graduated from MSJ Academy in 1960. After high school, Margaret attended Trinity College in Burlington, VT for two years.

Margaret later moved to Albany, New York, where she lived with her sister, Mickey, and worked at the State Bank on Albany Avenue as secretary to the bank’s president. A friend encouraged her to move to Connecticut, and Margaret followed that advice. She initially lived with friends while searching for a place of her own. It was during this chapter of her life that Margaret met the love of her life, her husband of 61 years, Gil. They were married in 1965 at St. Alphonsus Liguori Church in Pittsford, VT, beginning a beautiful life together filled with love, family, friendship, faith, and service to others. They lived in East Hartford, CT before settling down in Enfield, CT in 1967.

Margaret was deeply devoted to her faith and her church. She sang in the church choir from seventh through twelfth grade and continued singing in the church choir for 27 years as an adult. She was a founding member of Holy Family Parish in Enfield, CT and as an active member she served in the Women’s Guild for 25 years, participated as a lector, taught religious education to teenagers for 15 years, several of those years, were taught in her home, participated with Right to Life for 10 years, and was involved in countless church activities. Her faith guided her compassion and her desire to help others.

Margaret was also active in her children’s education and activities, serving on PTA committees, volunteering with the Boy Scouts, being a lunch Mom in her children’s classrooms, and other various school functions.

After spending many years living in Enfield, CT, Margaret and Gil returned to Vermont upon retirement where they lived for nearly 30 years. During this time, Margaret remained active in her church, volunteer work, art club, and community. She continued to find meaningful ways to serve others and make a difference including becoming involved in her church, St John’s in Castleton, VT, where she hosted approximately 10 boys from France who were part of a singing group for church.

Throughout her life, Margaret gave generously of her time to many organizations and causes. She volunteered at the food bank, with VNA and Hospice for 20+ years where through her volunteer work, she brought comfort, dignity, and kindness to people and families during difficult times. She also served with Trillium singing group for 12 years, and supported Dinners with Love for 10 years. She was a member of the Fair Haven Art Club for 25+ years, serving as president and contributing her creativity, friendship, and leadership.

Margaret had a special gift for caring for people who needed companionship and assistance. She drove for the Meadows of Rutland Assisted Living Facility, taking patients to lunch each month and helping them remain connected to their community.

Margaret enjoyed playing duplicate bridge, a passion she shared with her husband and partner for many years. She cherished time spent with family and friends. Playing cards with her favorite pretzels and M+M’s snack would always be a sure thing at Nadeau’s Nest beginning with her favorite line, “Don’t get mad if I win”. She was known for her hospitality as anyone who visited knew that their favorite treat would be waiting for them. She was the first to welcome new neighbors, often reaching out with coffee cakes and kindness, making others feel at home. Margaret had a special gift for making people feel included, cared for, and loved.

Above all, Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother. She is survived by her beloved husband, Gilbert C. Nadeau, Jr., her daughter, Lisa Ann Fineberg (Andy) of Coppell, TX., her son John T. Nadeau (Joanne) of Suffield, CT., her son Kevin M. Nadeau (Linda) of Naples, Fl., her daughter Elaine M. Bourque of Enfield, CT., her daughter Christine L. Nadeau of Enfield, CT., 17 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, who brought her tremendous joy.

She is also survived by her sister, Patricia Schubert, her brother Bill Duffy, several nieces, nephews, Godchildren, cousins, and dear friends, whose lives she touched.

She is pre-deceased by her parents, her sisters Marie Duffy and Anne “Mickey” Smith Coughlin, her brother Joseph P Duffy, Jr, her sister-in-laws Mary Duffy and Charlene Duffy, her brother-in-laws Walter Schubert, Mike Smith, Robert Coughlin, and her grandsons Kaleb and Cole Bourque.

Margaret’s life was defined by her faith, her devotion to family, and her unwavering willingness to help others. Whether through her church, her volunteer work, her service to hospice patients, her support of community organizations, or the simple kindnesses she offered to neighbors and friends, she made a lasting difference in the lives of those around her.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, generosity, faith, and service that will continue through her family and all those fortunate enough to have known her. She will be remembered for her caring heart, welcoming nature, beautiful voice, commitment to her community, and the countless ways she made the world a little kinder.

A wake will be held at Clifford Funeral Home at 2 Washington St, Rutland, VT on Monday, October 26, 2026 from 9am-11am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Alphonsus Liguori Church in Pittsford, VT at 11:30am followed by the burial at St Alphonsus Cemetery in Pittsford, VT. A reception will be held at the Rutland Country Club at 275 Grove St, Rutland, VT following the funeral services.

Though she will be deeply missed, Margaret’s love will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace, surrounded by the love she freely gave throughout her life.

In memory of Margaret, donations may be made to any of the following:

American Cancer Society

VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region in Rutland, VT

Hartford Healthcare Hospice in East Hartford, CT.

Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT.