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Caroline ‘Candy’ S. Duer, retired executive secretary

June 9, 2019

Caroline “Candy” S. Duer, 95, of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Dagsboro and Tipp City, Ohio, peacefully went home to be with her Lord Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at Brandywine Assisted Living in Rehoboth Beach.

She was born Jan. 25, 1924, in Oil City, Pa., the daughter of the late Lorne Shanely and Josephine (Barlett) Shanely.  Candy grew up in Shelby County, Ohio, on her grandmother’s farm and the Shanely family farm.  She graduated from Ohio University in 1945 with a bachelor of arts degree in English.  

Candy served as an executive secretary at Dayton Power & Light Company and for various community groups in Tipp City.  She was very active in the masonic fraternity serving as the worthy matron of the Tippecanoe Order of the Eastern Star and the royal matron of the Miami Valley Court Order of the Amaranth.  Candy was a prior active member of Tipp City United Methodist Church where she served on the board of trustees, was a member of the United Methodist Women and served as a circle leader.  After moving to Bay Colony in Dagsboro in 2008 to be near her son and his wife, she became a member of Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church in Ocean View.  Candy moved to Brandywine Assisted Living in 2011 and was lovingly cared for by the staff there until her death.

Anyone who met Candy was charmed by her smile, sense of humor and sparkling personality. She had the gift of making people feel happy and loved, and her greatest joy was helping others. She enjoyed walking, going to the beach, knitting, sewing, dancing, playing dominoes and cards, and mostly eating lots of sweets.  Candy also loved her faithful companion Merlin-the-cat and spending time with her family and friends. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Duer, in 1993; and a sister, Marilyn Shanely.  Candy is survived by her beloved son, Michael Duer and his wife Robin of Dagsboro; and a stepgranddaughter, Jill Anderson of Richmond, Va.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Monday, June 17, at noon, at Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church, 81 Central Ave., Ocean View.  The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 a.m., and a luncheon will be served in the social hall following the service.  Interment will be held privately at Riverside Cemetery in Troy, Ohio, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Candy’s name to the Hope Center, c/o Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church at the above address.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com

  

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