Date of Birth:
Wednesday, April 25, 1928
Date of Death:
Friday, April 5, 2024
Age:
95 years old

Aileen Conley Dufour

Aileen Conley Dufour, 95 years young, peacefully slipped away from the loving arms of her family into the arms of her Lord. Her faith was of paramount importance to her; her family and friends take comfort in knowing that she now resides in her ever-lasting home where her faith has become sight. She departed from this life on Friday, April 5th, a few weeks shy of her 96th birthday.

Aileen was born on April 25, 1928 in Burdine, Kentucky to Dean and Bertha Conley. She grew up as a coalminer’s daughter within a tiny coal mining community. She had three high-spirited sisters (Virgie, Goldie, and Mabel) and one brother (Edgar/Bud). She was also raised with one nephew (Larry Conley) who she considered as a beloved second brother.

After graduating from high school in Jenkins, Kentucky, she worked in multiple jobs in her community, including clerking in small businesses. Seeking better employment opportunities, she followed her sister, Mabel, to Akron, Ohio, where she helped her run a small boarding house and restaurant. It was there that she met, and fell in love with, her husband of 45 years, Harry Dufour. They married on August 29, 1951, living most of their lives in Akron.

Aileen’s most cherished ‘jobs’ consisted of being a wife and a mother to her 3 daughters: Margie, Michell, and Monica. She always possessed a kind, loving and nurturing spirit, which was clearly on display as she parented her girls.

She was a member of the Akron Freewill Baptist Church, which was the cornerstone of her family’s life. She cultivated life-long church friends and served in many capacities as a member of the ladies auxiliary, nursery worker, Sunday school teacher, and summer bible school leader; in this work she routinely displayed her sweet disposition and commitment to loving and serving others.

As her family expanded, her ‘jobs’ included that of being a grandma to eight and subsequently a great grandma to eight. In these roles, she took great pride in watching her grandchildren grow and thrive. She loved spending time with the children, even being coaxed to ride on a jet ski with one of them when she was well into her 90s, despite never having learned to swim (or ride a bike).

Always displaying a fun-loving nature, she was happy to play ping pong, disc golf, perform crafts, and read to her grandchildren and great grandchildren; she was always a good sport as she donned whatever Halloween costume that had been created for her.

Following the 1996 death of her beloved husband, Harry, she continued to live in Akron until 2016, when she relocated to Rochester, Minnesota. She quickly assimilated into the lives of her family there. She became active at Autumn Ridge Church, where she participated in the OASIS (Older Adults Still In Service) Program and a weekly women’s Bible study. She quickly created precious friendships within the church community.

Aileen has left a void in the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her faith community, which will not easily be filled. She modeled love, grace, and kindness no matter where she was; qualities her family will continue to admire and try to emulate.

Aileen was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings and her husband, Harry; imagine what a reunion they have just had!

Aileen leaves behind a living legacy of family members who will miss her dearly: three daughters Margie Loprinzi (Charles), Michell Censky (Mike) and Monica High (Bob), grandchildren Caitlin Loprinzi-Brauer (Jesse), Philip Loprinzi, Chelsea Loprinzi Johnson (Cory), Colin Censky (Sierra), Cameron Censky (Ashlynn), Morgen High, Brynn High, and Chase High, and great-grandchildren Jack, Charlie, Ruthie, Ben, Theo, Isla, Skyler and Riverlynn.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday morning April 12 at 11:00 at Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester, MN. Visitation will be at 10:00. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Autumn Ridge Church. Macken Funeral Home will be tenderly handling arrangements.