LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Joy W. McDuffie, distin-
guished citizen, business owner and devoted member of her community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the Empire State whose lifework and civic endeavor served to
enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, Joy Wiley McDuffie, a lifelong resident of Buffalo, New York,
died on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at the age of 59; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Izine Mullins Brice and Curtis Laster, Joy W.
McDuffie was born on January 20, 1956, and was the third of 12 siblings;
and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Holy Angels Academy in 1972, Joy W.
McDuffie earned an Associate's degree in Accounting at Erie Community
College, a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Medaille
College and a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the
University at Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, Joy W. McDuffie began her illustrious career as a Business
Analyst and Supervisor at Union Carbide's Linde Division; in 1991, she
opened her own business, Club Joy, which she operated for more than 15
years; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed businesswoman also became the owner of Kensing-
ton Development Corporation of Western New York, a company which
specializes in the purchase and restoration of homes in the community;
and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Joy W. McDuffie joined the Western New York Law
Center, where she was a Geographic Information Systems Analyst and
Director of the Mortgage Default Program assisting homeowners facing
foreclosure; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated member of the Buffalo community, Joy W. McDuffie
served as a leader in the Good Neighbor Planning Alliance, and as a
member of the Joint Schools Construction Board; she also headed the
Buffalo School District's Dropout Prevention Committee and was a board
member of Preservation Buffalo Niagara; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous honors for her outstanding service,
Joy W. McDuffie was honored with a local 2010 Women's History Month
Award and the Second-Half Champions Award; and
WHEREAS, Joy W. McDuffie is survived by her parents, Izine Mullins
Brice and Curtis Laster; two sons, Jamar and Rashied; seven sisters,
Judith, Tearah, Lisa, Karen, Kizzie, Tanya and Tammy; and two brothers,
Orvin and Mark Anthony; as well as six grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Joy W. McDuffie leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Joy W. McDuffie, distinguished citizen, business
owner and devoted member of her community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Joy W. McDuffie.