Mrs. Margaret Booker Johnson Duncan, educator in the Seventh-day Adventist Church for 60 years, passed at age 100 on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at her home in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Please join us at her Memorial service:
DATE: Sabbath March 23, 2013
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
PLACE: Camelback SDA Church
5902 E. Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
480.947.3781 (main)
www.camelbackchurch.net
Memorial Gifts
The family request that Mrs. Duncan be honored by supporting Pine Forge Academy’s Paul Jones Center, which will house the new library named in her honor.
To contribute:
On-line:
Go to “Donors and Friends” at www.pfafoundation.org
All gifts on-line will receive an immediate receipt.
By Check:
Make checks payable to Pine Forge Academy Foundation or PFAF
Please note your designation in the memo section or a note accompanying
your check or money order.
Tributes
Leave a tribute"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths."
Deeply grateful that our mother Duncan lived these words; giving Billy,
her grand and great grandchildren encouragement when faced with life's
challenges. We continually feel her spirit of love and faith inspiring our lives.
Mother Duncan, we miss you so much!!
Leanor, your daughter-in-love ❤️❤️
Leanor Boulin Johnson
The McCoy family.
Dorothy and Janet Corley
Leave a Tribute
Letter I wrote to celebrate 100 years of life!
“Let your light so shine before men [and women] that they may see your good works and glorify Your Father which is in heaven.”
~Matthew 5:16
September, 2012
Dear Mother Duncan,
Oh, how wonderful…..a celebration of living for 100 years!!! You are blessed—and you have blessed so many others during these 36,500 days of living. I know, because I’m one who has been blessed.
Here’s one reason I say it. And I’m guessing it may not be one of the high points in your life, so you may not even remember it, but it’s something that impacted me “for the rest of my life.”
As I was finishing 8th grade and anticipating going to “the big school” I had a bit of fear and trepidation. Moving from a 2-room school house with a total of 26 students in grades 1-8 was daunting to me. I’d done well, but wondered if I could manage a whole “nother” environment.
Being an “off campus” kid, I was allowed to work during the summer, and was hired at none other than “the big school.” I can’t remember my tasks, perhaps I straightened books, swept floors, cleaned out lockers and some such. You rewarded my time in the library, however, by introducing me to a whole series of books: stories of influential women. I read books about Narcissa Whitman (a missionary to Burma), Florence Nightingale (nurse to soldiers), Nelly Bly (can’t remember what she did), Ms Earhart (woman pilot), Clara Barton (who made the US flag), Jane Addams (founder of Hull House), Helen Keller (influential ambassador), Mary McCloud Bethune (educator), Anna Knight & Sojourner Truth (Black Liberators)….and every other biography or autobiography featuring successful women.
As I look back I realize those books so inspired my life because I now reflect what I read. Most of them were single women (or became such as am I), most were industrious (I’ve accomplished much), most had a commitment to humanity, fighting social injustice by helping the hurting and disenfranchised (I’m a social worker). They demonstrated and improved their intellect, modeling excellence and empowering others to do the same (I’ve an earned Ph.D. and am an academician). And most of all, they glorified God witnessing effectively and honoring Him (and that is certainly my continual quest). It is true, by beholding we become changed. Thank you for this exposure!
This is just one reason that one of your many stars in your crown will represent me! Thanks You, thank you, thank you!
Lovingly,
Elizabeth Watson (Ph.D., M.S.W.) AKA Betty Darby
Forever Thankful
I was honored to be a student at Washington Adventist University (formerly Columbia Union College) and privileged to have Mrs. Margaret Duncan as my Library Science Teacher. During my time there, I watched her hard at work at the CUC Library and noticed how dedicated she was to her principles and to her class. I was able to observe her better thru my part-time job while a student at CUC. She was my model in the Library because she was so knowlegeable yet humble. I do believe that she made such an impression upon me to the point that I chose Library Science as my Minor and Elementary Education as my Major at CUC. Upon graduation in 1969, I did teach for a year as a 2nd grade teacher at the Dupont Park Adventist Elementary School, Washington, DC. Upon completion of that year, I decided to return to my other love and obtained my formal education from Univ. of MD, & received my MLS degree in 1976. I spent 41+ years of service as a Library Technician & Librarian at the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, retiring in 2011. I am so thankful for her influence upon my life. I do believe she loved her God, family, her career and young people. She was truly a godly christian womam. My deepest sympathy to her family.
-- Carolyn W. Thurman, Retired Librarian
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, ARS, National Agricultural Library
Always A Scholarly Lady
I first remember meeting Mother Duncan when we moved to Pine Forge and I became a student (and the daughter of a new principal!). Because most of my coursework for the senior year had been completed before I arrived, I didn't get to have any classes from "Mrs. Duncan"; instead, I worked for her in the library.
As a sensitive adolescent in a new place, I wasn't sure what to expect. I found Mother Duncan to be patient and kind to me. When we would come into the office, there was often some reason to laugh as we talked. Her humor was disarming and her wit was charming. I, foolishly, didn't understand the scope of the work and changed my mind about being a librarian because I tired of putting away the same books...everyday! (Silly me!)
It has been very pleasant to have lasting friendships with all of the family as our children became friends and we have spent time together through the years.
Living to be one hundred is phenomenal! God had a reason for allowing her to stay with the family so long. To spend most of the time aware of the surroundings and knowing the people who care for you is not to be taken for granted. During one of my visits, she took me to her garden. It became clear that this was a place that gave her lots of joy. The last time Jimmy and I visited with the family in Arizona, we were amazed and happy to see Mother Duncan looking so well and with a degree of independence. Our memories of her are only happy ones.
We have truly been blessed to know Mother Duncan, and we, as you have expressed, look forward to the return of Jesus. Reuniting with loved ones will be wonderful. Though we can not be there with you for the memorial, we send our love to all of you and to your families.
May God continue to give you good memories to strengthen you.
With much love, Jackie and Jimmy