Evening star., 1937-02-21

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Institute for the Instruction of the
Blind of Overlook, Pa.
Despite her many philanthropies,
Mrs. Duff was little known to Wash
ingtonians of this generation, and her
death two weeks ago received hardly
any attention in the newspapers.
If the size of the specific uests
indicates proportionately large resi-
due, each of the 13 organi2 lions will
receive large sums.
Mrs. Duff was the widow of John
J. Duff, and came to Washington %
years ago. She lived at the Connec-
ticut Apartments, 1150 Connecticut
avenue.
Endowed Hospital Rooms.
For many years she contributed
literally to charitable institutions and
friends. She endowed rooms in Gar
field Hospital and the Washington
Home for Incurables; assisted Emer-
gency Hospital, the Boys Band, and
gave largely to flood sufferers.
In memory of her sister, Mrs. Sea-
ton Perry, who died some years ago,
she financed the present building of
the Children's Home of the Central
Union Mission. For many years she
visited the Home for Incurables
weekly. Each of her servants had
been provided with a home of his
or her own at the time of her death.
Each Summer she financed vacations
for some IS persons while she re-
nained in Washington.
Mrs. Duffs father was William A.
'Farr, wealthy Philadelphian.
Mrs. Duff's niece, Mary Pollock
Chandler of Philadelphia, was one of
the largest legatees. The will directed
that 100000 be held in trust for her
for life and that at her death it be
returned to the estate.
A like sum was given in trust to
Mary Regina Baker, who also lives at
the Connecticut Apartments. Mrs.
Duff directed that at the death of the
beneficiary, $4,000 of the fund be
returned to the estate, and empowered
the beneficiary to dispose, by will, of
the remaining $25,000.
Another 100000 was given to the
American Foundation for the Blind
Inc, New York corporation. Other
organizations aiding the blind also
received her bounty Among them was
the National Society for the Preven-
ton of Blindness, New York City,
which was given $4,000.
Large bequests to local institutions
and organizations included $4,000 to
Emergency Hospital, $4,000 to the
Instructive Visiting Nurse Society,
$4,000 to the Young Women's Chris
tian Home, $4,000 to the Children's
Hospital, $4,000 to the Columbia
Hospital, $4,000 to the Columbia
Polytechnic Institute for the BIND,
$4,000 to Garfield Hospital, $4,000 to
the Florence Crittenton Home, $4,000
to the First Church of Christ, Scien-
tist; $4,000 to the Presbyterian Home
for the Aged, $4,000 to the Boy Scouts,
$4,000 to the Girl Scouts, $4,000 to
the Gospel Mission, $4,000 to Casu-
atty Hospital, $4,000 to the National
Library for the Blind, $4,000 to the
Central Union Mission, and $4,000
each to the Second, Third and Fourth
Churches Of Christ, Scientist.
Besides her niece in Philadelphia,
only one of the other beneflciaries was
described by Mrs. Duff as relative.
That was Mrs. Annie Roberts Brooks,
Greenwich, Conn, who was left
$1,000.
The will was dated January 81, 1925.
The first codicil modifying its provi-
sions was executed July 13, 1884, and
the last on July 3, 1886.
Various specific bequests were cut
out by codicils and others added.
The largest gift mentioned in the
will, which later was eliminated by
codicil. was 100000 to the Washing
ton Home for Incurables. In the will
Mrs. Duff provided th hat should the