Maureen “Aisling” Frances Duffy-Boose

Maureen “Aisling” Duffy-Boose, age 78, crossed beyond the veil on May 9, 2026, at 12:40 p.m. at Monument Care Center. She had been in nursing homes since 2019 and was under the care of Quality Hospice for the last few months of her life. She now resides in the Summerland with the Goddess.

Maureen was born on September 7, 1947, in Hempstead, New York, to Owen Henry and Mary Julia Jane (Fennelly) Duffy. She is survived by her wife of 29 years, Briana Boose; three siblings, Hank Duffy (Kim), Gael Hill (Tom), and Jody Brings (Steve); four children, David Hood (Tanya), Sara Beth Keeler, Emeliee Dirks (Michael), and Meighanne Loch (Tim); eight grandchildren, Danielle, Alyesia, Gabriel, Joseph, James, Lauren, Ellie, and Georgia; seven nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and great-nephews; and a large community of friends. She instilled in her children and grandchildren a thirst for knowledge, a love for music and the written word, insatiable curiosity, and a deep respect for everything in nature.

She graduated from St. Mary of the Wasatch High School in 1965 and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Utah in 1971. She spoke fluent French, was on the staff of the University of Utah student newspaper, The Chronicle, taught at Ursuline Academy in Texas, and later worked as a substitute teacher at many Salt Lake City schools before retiring in 1997.

Maureen had many gifts and talents as a teacher, artist, harpist, linguist, grammarian, and writer. She was an avid reader and artist, passions she passed on to all her children and grandchildren. Maureen was a source of knowledge on countless subjects. If you had a question she did not know the answer to, which was rare, come back tomorrow and she would have researched it thoroughly and be ready with a detailed reply.

Don’t remember what a gerund is but have to teach it in the morning? Call Moze.Want to know how to pronounce the German lyrics in a wedding song you’ve been hired to sing? Call Moze.Trying to figure out the Gaelic pronunciations for an Irish jam session? Call Maureen.Need to hire a bagpiper? Call Maureen.

Aisling loved all things Celtic: music, myth, lore, and dance. In her youth, she could often be found singing and dancing in the family’s Yosemite Drive home, as well as performing with a local bagpiper group in the Eastwood Hills neighborhood. That love continued throughout her life. An accomplished Celtic harpist, she performed at many Salt Lake City venues, often alongside her sister Jody and many other talented musicians, and she recorded several CDs.

Although fluent in French, she also spoke and wrote in several other languages, including Irish Gaelic. She was also a published poet and author of Songs Of My Heart: A Collection Of Poetry by Maureen Aisling Duffy-Boose.

She was raised Catholic, spent time as a member of the Mormon church, and studied many other religions throughout her life. For the last 30-plus years, however, she was a valued elder in the Pagan community. She was a virtue holder for Toteg/1734 Witchcraft, the high priestess of several covens, and legally ordained to perform weddings, many of which she lovingly officiated. She also started the first CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) chapter in Utah and remained active in Pagan Pride and the Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition for many years. She gave countless tarot and life card readings at Crone’s Hollow and anywhere else she believed someone was in need.

There will be a public ritual of remembrance and gathering at Crone’s Hollow, 3834 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, on Saturday, June 13, from noon to 3:00 p.m. All are welcome.

Maureen had a mystical reverence for the Universe. To honor her, step outside for a moment and look closely at what nature has created around you.