“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

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
 

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

 I had the pleasure of being a student in Mrs. Duncan's Spanish class at Pine Forge. To be charitable to myself, I probably was the second worse student she ever taught.  Who was her worse student, I don't know.  I just gave myself some extra points, because my daughter was influenced by the stories I told about my experiences in class and she decided to become fluent in Spanish and lived a year and a half in South America.  Even though I gave Mrs. Duncan every reason to give up on me, she didn't.  As a result there were many things she taught me.  In addition to the importance of hard work, she taught me the power of a curious mind and how many answers can be found in the library.  As a law student and as a young lawyer I use to live in law libraries.  It was always more important to me not only to  know the law, but to know the exceptions.  For those of us who had the pleasure of knowing her, she always encouraged us to work hard, be patient, have a vision and a curious mind.  This legacy you can see in her progeny and their spouses. 

Mrs. Margaret Duncan was my Library Science Teacher at Washington Adventist University (formery Columbia Union College.)  She did not grade on the curve and if she felt that you did not deserve an A she did not give one.  She watched my progress however and then recommended me to catalog the H M S Richards Library in Richards Hall at Washington Adventist University.  She said you are able to do this and I did catalog the library.  I worked for six months on that job and with coaching from Mrs. Duncan and other Librarians the job was completed.

Several years ago she came to Pine Forge and she said that this would probably be her last trip East and she asked me if I had received credit for those six months on my employment history with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.  I told I had not received any credit and then she said I will write a letter so you can receive the credit due.  She wrote the letter and thanks to my Library Science Teacher I have six months labor credit toward my retirement. 

When I did not deserve the A I did not get one; however when I did deserve credit she made sure I received what I deserved.

I will always remember her for her encouragment and example of how a true Christian lady should conduct herself.

Gwen Bradford Norwood
Executive Assistant for the Office of the President
Allegheny East Conference
Former Librarian - Pine Forge Academy
 

This is Paula's favorite story.

She was watching Mother Duncan putting a collage of photographs in an album when she turned to Billy (her son) and asked him if he had any photographs of when he was a child. Billy responded "No" (in jest of course), and Mother Duncan immediately said "That's alright, I'll just take a picture of a monkey instead!"