Pauline M. Duff

Pauline Marie Duff

June 30, 1934 – April 12, 2025

Pauline Marie (Bryan) Duff “Polly” was born to the late Orlando Bryan and Mary Flaherty Bryan on June 30, 1934, in Berwyn, MD. Fun fact - she was originally named Orlanda Marie Bryan, however, her father was not a fan of that name and asked her mother to change it to Pauline. She was one of seven siblings and was the baby. Our grandmother would always tell the story of Polly only weighing 1.5lbs at birth and how she could slide her wedding ring all the way up her arm. She was pampered by her mother and siblings, especially her sister Josephine (Aunt Jo) who was only two years older but took Polly under her wing, was her protector, confidant, and best friend.

Polly departed this life on April 12, 2025, at the beginning of Holy Week. Just a few weeks prior she told her children she was ready to go home and be with the lord. She passed peacefully opening her eyes to see her eldest son Frank holding a single rose which was favorite flower.

Polly was educated in the Catholic School system attending Holy Redeemer Catholic School in College Park, MD for grammar school and The Academy of Notre Dame in Washington, DC for high school. During high school she was on the bowling team and was also a member of the 4-H club at the University of Maryland.

After graduation she began working for Litton Industries where she met, fell in love with and married Francis Duff Sr. (Mike). Together she and Mike had 4 children. She was a devoted Catholic and raised her children in the Catholic Church. After having children Polly was a stay-at-home mom and volunteer for school events, Cub/Boy scouts, as well as a member of the Women’s Sodality at St Bernard’s Catholic Church. Polly was also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Pauline eventually went back to work, working as a substitute teacher in the PG County Public School System and then as a receptionist in a doctor’s office in Hyattsville, MD.

Polly was a passionate sports fan. She loved football and was a devoted fan of the Washington Redskins and Maryland Terrapins. On Saturdays and Sundays, you could find her in her favorite chair watching football. Most knew not call during the games and if you didn’t know you would soon find out. If you stopped by you would just have to watch the game as well. She also loved watching the Washington National’s baseball team and was able to attend a few games with her son Dennis and his family. She also loved Maryland crabs and never turned down an invitation to a good old Maryland crab feast. Her husband always made sure she had crabs on her birthday. If she could not have crabs a delicious crab cake would do. Her son Joseph and his family would always make sure she had crab cakes in the freezer.

Polly is survived by her 4 children, Francis Jr., Joseph (Patricia), Dennis (Deborah) and Mary Catherine (Mike), 5 grandchildren, Amanda, Stephanie (Tim), Cassandra (aka Ryan), Kyle and Monroe, 6 great grandchildren, Adam Jr, Nathan, Addyson, August, Norah and Antonello and numerous other family and friends.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents, Orlando Bryan, Mary Flaherty Bryan, husband, Mike Duff, siblings, Mary Manuel, John W Bryan, Anne Buckley, Christopher Bryan, and Catherine Thibodeau (aka Jimmy).

A mass celebration of Polly’s life will be held on Wednesday July 9, 2025, at 11:00am at

Holy Redeemer Catholic Church

4902 Berwyn Rd

College Park Md 20740

In lieu of flowers we ask you to donate to the Epilepsy Foundation of America at Epilepsy.com in Pauline Duff’s name.