Trula E. Duane of Gainesville, Va.
GAINESVILLE, Va. - Trula E. Duane, 81, passed away June 2 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Trula will be remembered for her love of others. She was a mentor to many, young and old, across the world and specialized in helping them to see and develop their gifts.
She was skilled at many things and generous in sharing her own gifts. She could and did raise children, act as a surrogate aunt or grandmother to many other children, chair a board, write a grant, reorganize an office, create a thriving garden, decorate a home, crochet lace, downhill ski, throw a killer party and create circles of friends.
She loved to travel, and, in her journeys across all 50 states and 33 countries, she made many friends. These friends, in turn, have supported Trula and her family through the loss of her beloved husband and her illness.
For 55 years, Trula was the beloved wife and friend of Jerry D. Duane, who preceded her in death. Her son, Scott Duane, parents, brothers and friends were also waiting to welcome her with open arms and dancing to heaven.
Trula is survived by her daughter, Jami Lyn Duane-Brady; son-in-law, David Brady; grandchildren, Michaela (John) Schnetzer, and Nathaniel, Ethan and Miranda Brady; and great-grandson, Brady Schnetzer.
She will be missed by the Nguyen family, her extended family, the family at Vienna Baptist Church and many friends across the world.
A unifying theme throughout Trula's life was her volunteer work, which benefitted many organizations in the D.C. area. Most recently, she worked with Vienna Baptist Church in Virginia, Duke Street Trinity Baptist Memorial Foundation and the NorthStar Church Network. A scholarship grant in her name was recently donated by Duke Street Trinity for students at John Leland Center for theological studies.
Professionally, Trula created the Fairfax County Voluntary Action Center. She then worked for over 20 years for Youth for Understanding. She retired as vice president of programs, but was instrumental in developing many offices and programs within the organization.
A celebration of Trula's life will be at 2 p.m. today, June 13, in Vienna Baptist Church in Vienna, Virginia. Visitation with the family was from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 12, at the church. Another visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. today at the church. A light repast and an informal time to share memories and stories will occur after the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Duane/Duane-Brady Scholarship Fund at George Mason University Foundation, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, or go to Fasterfarther.gmu.edu and click iGive.