Maria Irene Duncan

Maria Irene Duncan (nee Zirkel), 82, beloved daughter, wife, mother, and Oma began her heavenly journey on January 29th. She departed from this world peacefully at home, with her loving husband and daughter by her side. She is survived by her adoring spouse of more than 45 years, Aaron Duncan, daughter and son-in-law Betina and Pete Irwin, step-daughter and son-in-law Vanessa and Jim Gibson, step-daughter Jennifer Dooley, and extended family including nieces and nephews, both in the United States and Germany. Oma was a doting grandmother and is also survived by her grandchildren Madison Irwin (Eric Camino), Trevor Irwin, Celeste Irwin, Baileigh Buckingham, Brendan Buckingham, Alex Penquite, and Valeri Johnson (Devin Johnson). She is preceded in death by her daughter Heidi Lawhorn, her son-in law Rob Dooley, her parents Maria and Otto, her brother Helmut, and sisters Elsbeth, Elfriede, and Edeltraud.

Maria was born in 1940 in Wertheim, Germany, the youngest of five. At the age of 21 she emigrated to the United States. She met and married her second husband, Aaron, in Kettering, Ohio, in 1977. They have been proud residents of Kettering since 1987 and Maria took great joy in sharing her community and its treasures nearby, including Carillon Park, Riverscape, and Second Street Market, with her family. Maria was truly a citizen of the world, traveling often to visit her family in Germany and visiting many other countries along the way, often with her husband Aaron at her side.

Maria cherished her German heritage and was an active member of the Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club, volunteering in many capacities. She loved singing in the choir and dancing in the Liederkranz Volkstanzer group alongside her husband and friends. She was a charter member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Kettering, where she also spent many hours volunteering. She worked in retail at JCPenney's for 27 years, though she continued to visit her former coworkers and shop there for many years after.

Maria never met a stranger, striking up conversations at work, at garage sales, or standing in line at the grocery store. She delighted in hosting her neighbors on Canterbury Dr., whose children all called her Oma, too. In the later years of her life, she and her daughter Betina spent many hours walking through her neighborhood, enjoying the flowers and fresh air. She was a lovely and extraordinary woman who leaves behind many cherished friendships and a legacy of love. We will miss her cheerful smile, warm personality, and sometimes backhanded, though always in good faith, compliments. We can only hope that our memories of her will sustain us until we met her again. Schlaf gut Oma, we love you so.

Funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 4865 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, 45440. Visitation will begin an hour prior to service on Saturday, February 11 at church. In lieu of flowers, family asks that you consider donating in honor of Maria to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45420; or to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 4865 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45440.