December 28, 1939 – September 16, 2024
Dorothy Diane Duffin Saylor, “Duffy,” passed away on the evening of September 16, 2024, in Shavano Park, Texas. She was 84. She had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for the last several years.
Duffy was born in December 1939, in Whitewater, Wisconsin to a farmer and his wife, Laurel and Winifred Duffin. She was their fourth child and the only girl in a family with four brothers. Tommy died in childhood, and the other three, John, David, and Doug, preceded her in death.
Duffy graduated from Whitewater High School in 1957 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She later attended and graduated from Chicago’s Masonic Hospital’s Nursing School. While a young nurse in Chicago, she met and married an Air Force medical doctor, Jack Saylor in 1963. Duffy and Jack were first stationed at Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas. In 1966, Duffy and Jack moved to their next assignment, Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco where Duffy worked shifts at area hospitals. In 1967, while in the Bay area, Duffy and Jack welcomed Michele “Shelly” Jacqueline and a year later Michael Riley Saylor.
Duffy and Jack moved halfway across the country to Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois in 1969. Two years later Angelin Eve Saylor was born. While living in Belleville, Duffy had a very successful real estate career, winning multiple sales awards culminating in Century 21’s exclusive Million Dollar Club for which she was a multi-year award winner.
In 1982 military life brought change and the Saylor family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where Jack became the Hospital Commander at Carswell Air Force Base. As a commanding officer’s wife, Duffy, had the honored tradition of leading in supporting the wives and families of the troops under her husband’s command, a role that she continued until Jack’s retirement in 1996.
The family once again moved in 1986, but for the last time, to Randolph AFB in San Antonio, Texas. Duffy and Jack lived on base for the first four years. Throughout these years, in addition to accomplishing so much in her service to others, Duffy devoted herself to her family, raising three grateful children and supporting Jack who loved her deeply.
In 1990, Duffy and Jack set up their forever home in Shavano Park, Texas. During those years, Duffy enjoyed the marriage of her children, the addition to the family of her grandchildren, and she and Jack celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary among many other joyous events. That home hosted many happy Saylor family birthdays, holidays, and celebrations. Duffy was an incredible cook and hostess, always making others feel special while in their home.
For many years, Duffy was active in the Military-Civilian Club (Mil-Civ) and served on the Board of the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio (YOSA). She also worked estate sales part-time where she was a valued member of those teams. For many of the post-retirement years, she and Jack had a consistent group of friends who greatly enjoyed each other’s company. They traveled throughout North and South America on many cruises that created even more entertaining stories. Duffy very often brought the comic relief to any event. She had the rare gift of sharp humor and wit that could make anyone laugh but also drop a few jaws. Duffy even had the rarer gift of putting others first and making everyone she met feel valued.
Duffy Saylor is survived by her three children, Shelly Saylor Wyles of Battle Ground, Washington, Michael Saylor of San Antonio, and Angelin Saylor Cole of Austin; their spouses, Channing Wyles, Jennifer Bryant Saylor, and Jonathan Cole; and her five grandchildren, Hallie Wyles, Hana Wyles, Jackson Saylor, Kailey Saylor, and Avery Cole.
The family will receive friends from 4:00-5:00 P.M., Monday, October 7, 2024 at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas.
FUNERAL SERVICE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2024
5:00 PM
PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH
2101 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST
We will hold a procession from Porter Loring Mortuary North on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024, at 10:45 A.M. to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for interment at 11:30 A.M.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to 4-H.
