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Eleanor Violet Hjerpe Duvall, age 97, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, surrounded by family.
Ellie was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on April 9, 1929, daughter of Edward Alfred Hjerpe and Mary Balsiunas Hjerpe and was a longtime resident of Potomac, Maryland. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, J. Sprigg Duvall IV, her brothers, Edward and Jimmy, her brother-in-law, Ken Troxell, her sister-in-law, Nancy Hjerpe, and her cousin, Anna Aldona Balsiunas.
Ellie graduated from Vassar College in 1951. She taught elementary school before marrying Sprigg and while stationed in Pensacola as a Navy wife. After the Navy, they settled in Maryland where they raised their family. She and Sprigg loved to travel and ski with friends and family. Annual family ski trips were a highlight. Ellie was an avid golfer, bridge player and shutterbug. Her “perfect” day was bridge in the morning, lunch at McDonald’s, golf in the afternoon and a steak for dinner. She loved family: weekends at the beach and Ramsey, crab feasts, and card games. She particularly enjoyed welcoming and meeting her children’s friends. She made many friends at the bridge table, including her Fox Hills and Women’s Club of Potomac friends with whom she played competitive duplicate bridge for over 50 years.
Ellie is survived by her sister-in-law, Chloe D. Troxell; her cousin, Elaine F. Holm; her children, Susan Duvall of Chevy Chase, Carol Duvall of Rockville, John S. Duvall V (Donna Vershay) of Potomac, Debbie Saffer (Dan) of Silver Spring, Philip Duvall (Susan) of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania and Sandy Meyer of Annapolis; her grandchildren, Mandy, Andrea (Nick), Tricia, Chloe, Philip (Nicole) and Sprigg VI (Annaka); and her great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Jordan and Sadie.
Ellie was especially fond of her Hjerpe and Troxell nieces and nephews and their children. She was adored by and took great delight in her pack of grand- and great-grand dogs, Sophie, Skipper, Jack, Moseley and Mac.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, 1513 Dunster Road, Rockville, MD 20854 at 11 am on Friday, May 1 with a reception to follow. Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to BrightFocus Foundation, supporting Macular Degeneration research, (brightfocus.org) or the VNA & Hospice Foundation of Vero Beach, Florida (vnatc.com).
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
© 2026 Lowther Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
ML Relle - Friends
April 20, 2026, 6:27 pm
Dearest Duvall family, we extend our heartfelt sympathies for your loss. May Eleanor’s memory be eternal. Sincerely, Brian, MaryLou Relle and family.
Ginny Curtin - Friend
April 20, 2026, 7:07 pm
Sending my sincerest condolences to Susan and the Duvall family. Mrs Duvall graciously hosted our knitting group on occasion at her lovely home on the shore. Sending prayers for all of you in this difficult time. Our mothers are always with us and are forever missed.
Jamie Portell - Friend
April 22, 2026, 7:57 pm
I am sorry to hear this sad news. Ellie was an inspiration to all at the Vero Beach Bridge Center. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm for the game was infectious and she was a delight to be around. My condolences to Susan and Sandy and the entire family.
Todd Pekel - Friend and Trainer
April 23, 2026, 6:48 pm
Sorry for your loss. It was an honor to know Ellie and help her maintain her strength and mobility. She truly lead a blessed life and now she’s reunited with all her loved ones that have gone before her. May you all find continued comfort and joy in your memories of her amazing life.
Frank Titus
April 26, 2026, 11:26 am
RIP Ellie. You were the best!
D Hessler - Friend
May 1, 2026, 10:14 pm
My parents, David and Joyce Hessler were friends of Sprig and Elli, enough so that we thought their last name was Sprigandelli ~ of course it was not. I had the pleasure of seeing them in Florida and in Ellsworth Maine. I fondly remember Sprig waiting in the car while Ellie attended Mass at the little chapel on the lake. My deepest condolences to all who loved her ~ she was a wonderful woman!