November 3, 2014
Moya Duplica, who served for 40 years on the UW School of Social Work faculty, passed away on October 21, 2014. Moya began her distinguished career in social work education at the University of Washington in 1963, where she taught courses on social welfare policy, history and issues affecting the lives of women.
Born in Kamloops, B.C., Canada, Moya grew up in Victoria, B.C. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor in Social Welfare degree from University of British Columbia and completed a Master of Social Work degree at St. Louis University, Missouri.
“Beneath her unflappable, polished and proper exterior,” remembers social work professor Nancy Hooyman, “was a keen wit and joyous wicked sense of humor, which was often a bit of a surprise.”
Moya retired from the School of Social Work in 2003 after four decades of inspiring undergraduate students with her bravura teaching style. “What would Moya do?” read the buttons students wore to celebrate and commemorate her years in the classroom.
“Her students often gave her a standing ovation at the end of class because of the profound impact she had on them and her eloquence as a spokesperson for our profession,” recalls friend and colleague, J’May Rivara, School of Social Work lecturer.
Outside of work, Moya’s family marveled at the many ascents of Mount Rainier she made with her husband of 52 years, John Duplica, or her ability to stand up to a UW football player and make him cower. “She was always young at heart,” says her niece Sarah Olsen.
Moya was predeceased by her loving husband John and is survived by her brother, Patrick; her sister, Diana; her nieces, Sarah Olsen and Karen Engstrom, and her nephew, Michael Martin and their families. Messages of condolence can be left for the family on The Seattle Times obituary page. The family has requested that gifts in memory of Moya be made to the UW School of Social Work or Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.
Dean Eddie Uehara has memorialized Duplica's tremendous contributions to teaching, mentoring and engagement by naming the School's annual alumni award—now called the Moya M. Duplica Distinguished Alumni Award—in her honor.