Our family is deeply saddened to announce that our beloved mother Eugenia Ann Dukas, has died at the blessed age 98 following a brief illness.

Eugenia lived in Williamsport, PA for more than 30 years, and we are so grateful to the folks at Tony's Deli, the Villa, Tebb's Farms and DIncher's Auto body for treating our mom with love.

Still driving into her 90's, Eugenia was an active parishioner at St Ann's Church. She was a member of their Senior Group, and she also served as a Eucharistic Minister. Eugenia worked closely with Hope Enterprises, where she teamed up with Pete Miller to build a group home for the mentally challenged from the ground up.

Throughout her life, Eugenia was a trailblazer.  She was born in Newburgh, NY on April 3, 1927 and attended Newburgh Free Academy High School where she excelled in art.  Her designs were frequently featured in Scholastic Magazine.   Women rarely attended college in the 1940's, but Eugenia was accepted to prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.  She also worked part time at Macy's in Herald Square where she helped design the famed holiday windows.  Eugenia earned an Associates Degree in Art and Design and went on to achieve her childhood dream.

At 21, She landed a job with a Broadway theatrical costume company and worked with some the biggest stars of that era from Ethel Merman to Mary Martin.  But the bright lights of Broadway quickly lost its appeal. Eugenia's innovative designs landed her a job at Effanbee Doll Corporation where she became the Director of Design.  Her career spanned 40 plus years and she earned an international reputation as one of the world's premier doll designers.  Eugenia helped launch a Limited Edition doll collection that featured movie stars from John Wayne and Lucy Ball, W.C. Fields to Mae West, Jackie Gleason and Art Carney and Judy Garland and Elvis as well as U.S. Presidents FDR, JFK and Teddy Roosevelt. Eugenia appeared in Magazines and television programs, and fulfilled her life's ambition of creating fashion for thousands of dolls; or as she said, " people who never grow old."

Eugenia enjoyed a happy 43-year marriage to James N Dukas, himself an award-winning artist. Together, they raised three children, and she is survived by Christopher, Barbara and Pamela, and four grandchildren Lindsay and Emily Poulis, and James and Alec Dukas.  Eugenia was often asked the secret to her longevity.  Her reply came with her beaming trademark smile, "be happy."

A memorial service is planned at St. Ann's Church, 1220 Northway Rd., Williamsport, PA on April 24th, at 1:00pm.

Crouse Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted with handling final arrangements. To share a memory or sign an online register book, please visit www.crousefuneralhome.com.