Ruth Ann “Tootsie” Duke

RUTH ANN “TOOTSIE” DUKE, 88, of Weirton, WV was called home to her Heavenly Father on January 13, 2023. A loyal and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister. She is now holding hands with her life’s love and best friend of over 55 years. Tootsie was born in her family’s home in Holliday’s Cove, WV on August 2, 1934, the youngest of four children born to Edward and Helen Haney Coen. On December 18, 1952, she married Stanley Duke while he was serving in the United States Navy. Stush worked in the Strip Steel of Weirton Steel as a crane operator, while Tootsie took meticulous care of their home. She also worked outside their home at Denmark’s and Automatic Vending Company. Stush and Tootsie were blessed with three children, seven grandchildren and soon to be six great-grandchildren. Their abundant love for each other overflowed to four generations of their family. Stush and Tootsie met while roller skating in Downtown Weirton which led to a lifetime of enjoying each other on the dance floor. They used to attend all the dances held at the Knights of Columbus 3734 and the Moose Lodge 688. They enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and to their annual family vacation on the Boardwalk of Ocean City, Maryland. In their free time, they enjoyed going to the movies, listening to Big Band music, and spoiling their grandchildren. All who knew Tootsie knew she was proud of her Irish heritage, and her love for Notre Dame. She was a stylish bargain hunter, kept a meticulous home, and a great cook. Her homemade meatballs, stuffing, and apple bars were among her family’s favorites. Tootsie was a faithful parishioner of Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church and was a proud member of the Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians. In addition to her parents, Tootsie is preceded in death by her husband, Stush on December 21, 2007; and her two brothers, John and James Coen. She will be remembered with love and admiration by her son, Michael (Lori) Duke; her daughters, Debra (Jeff) Dunham and Lynne (Joseph D.) Thomas; her sister and best friend, Patricia McMullin; her grandchildren, Joshua (Sheena) Dunham, Samantha (Dr. T.J.) Ameredes, Katelyn (Nick Wehrum) Thomas, Chelsea (Dr. Josh) Thorne, Dr. Patrick (Dr. Alex) Duke, Megan (Jeffrey) Heupp; Dr. Ryan Duke and his fiancé Taylor Bunting; great-grandchildren, Athena, Niko, and Olivia Ameredes, Sloan Duke, Henry Heupp and one great- granddaughter on her way. Visitation was held Monday, January 16, 2023, at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, Weirton. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. at Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Weirton. Tootsie’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff Hope Cottage, where she was lovingly cared for the last three and a half years. Memorial contributions may be made to the Aaron Davies Memorial, 307 Bell Blvd., Weirton, WV 26062 or to Valley Hospice, 10686 State Route 150, Rayland, OH 43943 or at www.valleyhospice.org. Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com