Veronica “Joy” Ahearn Dukes, a longtime resident of the tristate area, died on March 15. She was 82.She succumbed to the after-effects of a stroke she suffered in 2024.Born in Port Chester, New York, Joy as she was affectionately known, spent 47 years there before relocating to Tappan, New York, where she resided for 33 years. Most recently, she had been a resident of Norwood, New Jersey.

Joy's professional life was marked by a career at NYNEX Corp in New York City. It was there that she met her husband, Kenneth Dukes, Sr. They shared a life in Tappan until Kenneth's passing in 2001.

Her parents, James Ahearn and Mae Garvey, and three sisters and a brother — Patricia Lucas, Margaret Miraglia, Dorothy Lantrip and James — predeceased her. She is survived by her twin brother, William Ahearn and his wife, Sheila Sullivan, of New York City.

She was the beloved aunt to her nieces and nephew, Margaret Miraglia (Charles), Keith Lucas (Helen), Keri Lucas Glick (Jeff), Karli Lucas Gray (Tim), Meredith and Morgan Ahearn and several great nieces and nephews. Her niece,Tracy Lantrip predeceased her.

Visitation will be held at Moritz Funeral Home in Tappan, NY on March 20, 2026. Friends and loved ones are invited to gather from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM to pay their respects and offer support.

Following the visitation, a Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, located at 120 Kings Highway, Tappan, NY 10983. The service will begin at 11:00 AM.