Sara C. (Bonilla) Duffis, of Lowell, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on Sunday, February 13, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Rev. Ennis Duffis with whom she shared 47 years of marriage.
She was born in Managua, Nicaragua and was a daughter of the late Francisco Bonilla and the late Anna ‘Anita’ (Espinoza) Bonilla. She was raised in Managua, where she attended the area schools, graduating from college. She met her husband in Managua, where they married and she worked as a secretary for the major newspaper. In 1983, she relocated to Texas with her family, before moving to Massachusetts in 1993, settling in Lawrence and Lowell for the past 10 years.
Sara excelled at working with her community, wherever that was. She started a school for poor children with money from her own pocket, she worked with underprivileged school children in Lawrence. Sara loved Nicaragua and the people there, she would send any money she could back there each month to help those in need. She was extremely dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Most recently she worked with her husband at St. Anne's and Saint John's Episcopal Churches building the community, and reaching out to the Spanish speaking population. She also worked at Grace Episcopal Church in Lawrence with the after school program.
In addition to her beloved husband, Rev. Ennis Duffis of Lowell, she is survived by her four children, Darling Bonilla of North Andover, Ennis Jesus Duffis, Jr. of Simsbury, CT, Jose Benito Duffis and his wife, Xiomara of Portsmouth, NH and Sebastian Duffis and his wife, Dana of Nashua, NH; and her four grandchildren, Michael, JJ, Noah, and Gabriella. She is also survived by her siblings, Lilian Figueroa of Miami, FL, Angela Quarezma of Managua, and Robert Bonilla of Managua; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brothers, the late Alfonzo Bonilla, the late Francisco Bonilla, and the late Armando Bonilla.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Mass General Cancer Center, https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate?re_fund=206865&is_designation=1&designation=Cancer%20Center
On Thursday, February 17, 2022 all are welcome to attend her visitation from 6-7 p.m. at St. Anne Episcopal Church, 8 Kirk Street, Lowell, MA. Her funeral service will be held in the church at 7 p.m.
Burial will take place privately with her immediate family.