Barbara Ann Duffey Gentry, age 71, of Dickson, TN, passed away peacefully at her home on November 25, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, December 9, 2024, at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at Taylor Funeral Home on Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 4pm until 8pm; with a Rosary service at 7pm. Visitation will also be held on Monday from 9am until 10am. Place of rest will be in the Union Cemetery.
Barbara was born on August 21, 1953, in Canonsburg, PA to the late Edward Duffey and Anna Needham Duffey. She was very proud of her Irish and Polish heritage and loved a good polish sausage or a plate of pierogies. She loved her brothers Tommy and Terry and her sister Donna with all her heart and would do anything for them.
She met her husband and lifelong best friend Joey in Florida, and they were married on April 2, 1977. They had two daughters, Tera and Kelly, who she stayed home with for years. She was a devoted mother who volunteered at many school functions and would never miss a recital or sporting event.
She had a lifelong dream of being a nurse and returned to school in her 40’s to obtain her nursing degree. She retired from nursing after over 20 years of service. She loved being a nurse, taking care of patients and forming lifelong friendships with her colleagues in the emergency department and outpatient surgical unit, but her real passions were her faith and her family.
She loved with all her heart and anyone that knew her had a funny story or a touching memory to share about her. She opened her home to anyone that needed it. She cared deeply for people and wanted everyone to feel loved and accepted. She would always say to forgive and forget, which she was very good at doing.
She loved to travel with her husband Joey. When asked if she had anything on her bucket list, she would say the Grand Canyon which they visited together several years ago. They also enjoyed going to casinos together where you could usually find Barb at the penny slots. She also loved to take her children and grandchildren to the beach every summer.
Her ultimate joy came when she had grandchildren. She loved her grandkids with a love that is impossible to put into words. No matter what was happening she always knew where they were and what they needed. She was involved in everything they were doing and made sure to be present in every aspect of their lives.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph Walter Gentry of Dickson, TN, her daughters, Tera Simpson (Shawn) of Dickson, TN, Kelly Gentry of Dickson, TN, brothers, Tommy Duffey of Charleston, SC, Terrence Duffey of Richmond, VA, sister Donna Vanderau (Richard), grandchildren, Ryan Simpson, Emily Simpson and Ethan Walton, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
For those desiring, memorials may be made to the Nashville Rescue Mission or to St. Patrick’s School (McEwen, TN).
