Louis Joseph Duncan

on July 15, 2006 at the age of 96. Acclaimed by family and friends through the years for his energy, cheerful spirit and strength, Mr. Duncan retained his excellent physical and sharp mental capacities until recently.Mr. Duncan was born on May 11, 1921, in Seattle. As the youngest of 7 brothers and sisters, he enjoyed special favors and attentions, especially from his "abuelita" (grandmother). Selected by the family to become a priest, Mr. Duncan was educated by the Irish Christian Brothers, and Jesuit and French Sulpician priests. After three years at St. Joseph's College as a seminarian, he decided that his greater fulfillment would come from having a family.Mr. Duncan and his wife, Elizabeth Marquis Duncan, who died in 1998, raised two daughters, Gail Duncan Fenner and Margaret Duncan, and enjoyed their third daughter, Mary Render Kayani. He served as a reservist with the U.S. Navy from 1936 - 1940 and retired from his position as a storage and supply specialist with the U.S. Navy in 1975. Mr. Duncan and his wife contributed significantly to civic endeavors and the arts, most extensively in California. Mr. Duncan also enjoyed singing in community theatre and musical productions, Roman Catholic Church choirs and the Schola Cantorum (San Francisco).Mr. Duncan inspired his friends and family with his unquestioned integrity, strong will power, and spiritual and intellectual strength, and displayed a cheerful and engaging spirit. He was much loved and will be missed by many family members and cherished friends, including his daughter Gail, of Manhattan Beach, California; his daughter Margee (Margaret) of Bainbridge Island; and his daughter Mary, of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Gail and Mr. Duncan's grandchildren by Gail and Bob Fenner - Katherine, Elizabeth, and Michael - visited with him shortly in his final week as did Mary, who together with her husband Rogati Kayani and their children - Mlemi, Uulia, Siani, and Lusungu - remember him with love. Mr. Duncan is also remembered and loved by his four great grandchildren - Christine and Colin, of Katherine and Shane Siemon, Wichita, Kansas; and August and Theodore, of Elizabeth Fenner and Brian Robinson, Northridge, California. "Uncle Louie" is remembered with love by his many nephews, nieces, and cousins, together with their children and grandchildren, living in the Puget Sound area and Alaska.Margee wishes to express deep appreciation to the compassionate and wonderful people at the Messenger House for the genuine and caring attitude with which they supported her and cared for Mr. Duncan during his stay at the Messenger House.A celebration Mass will be held at St. Cecelia Church, Bainbridge Island, on August 17, 2007, at 3 pm [Map]. In lieu of flowers, it is Mr. Duncan's wish that friends and family consider a donation to the O'Dea Scholarship Fund, 802 Terry Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98104.