Submit a PhotoJewell Jean (Duffey) Day passed away peacefully surrounded by love at the age of 80. Jewell was born on July 14th, 1944 to George Everett and Helen Florence (West) Duffey in Kirksville, Missouri. Jewell was raised in Kirksville with her sisters Mary, Patsy and Earlene and brother Mack. Upon graduating high school, Jewell attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville (now Truman University) where she obtained her Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education. She went on to teach elementary school in Kansas City, Missouri where she loved living close to The Plaza and living with her best friend.
On one of her many visits to see her sister Mary in Osawatomie, Kansas, Jewell was in the market for a new car. Mary suggested she visit the Day Chevrolet dealership in town and ask for a guy by the name of Buz. Buz successfully sold Jewell a new car that day as well as talked his way into a first date. The two would go on to get married on September 19, 1969 and would celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary before Buz’s passing in January 2024.
In 1971 Jewell and Buz would move to Coolidge, Arizona to start their new life. They purchased the local NAPA Auto Parts store from Fred Slater and named it Day Auto Supply. Jewell and Buz would work side by side for many decades building their business and raising their children. Their legacy endures and Day Auto Supply will celebrate its 54th year in business in 2025.
Jewell embraced Coolidge as her new home and in addition to working in “the store” she also attended Coolidge Presbyterian Church, led brownie and girl scout troops, joined the Coolidge Flower Club and the local P.E.O chapter in both Coolidge and Gilbert Arizona. She forged many lifelong friendships during these years that she cherished throughout her life. Later in life, Jewell and Buz would relocate to Gilbert, Arizona to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
To know Jewell was to love her. As many have said, her name was very fitting as she was a true gem. She had the purest of hearts and was the most generous and kind soul. She had a deep faith, loved her family and always placed others needs ahead of herself. She loved watching old movies, traveling, reading books to her grandchildren and giving meaningful gifts. She enjoyed lunches with friends, staying active and spending quality time with those she loved. She would craft handmade gifts for birthdays and holidays which will be treasured for generations to come. She loved planning family trips to Disneyland and making sure every holiday and birthday were memorable and special.
Jewell will be forever loved, cherished, and remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to all. Jewell is survived by her daughter Christine (Day) Milliken (husband Rob, children Logan and Lindsey) of Gilbert, AZ. Son Chad Day (wife Stephanie, children Julia, Gabe, Avery and Ella) of Queen Creek, AZ. Sister Pat Pentino of Fayetteville, PA and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Jewell is preceded in death by her parents, George and Helen Duffey, her husband, Edwin “Buz” Day Jr, sisters Mary Montgomery, Earlene Baumgartner, and brother Mack Duffey.
A memorial service will be held at the Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Home, 2100 E Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297 on February 1st, 2025 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. Memorial donations in Jewell’s name can be made to the Coolidge High School Scholarship Committee, PO Box 8, Coolidge, AZ 85128
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