Eleanor Finlayson Duncan had a long and rich history of service in the Inland Valley. The quintessential teacher, Duncan was known throughout the valley as the "Educator with the Big Heart." Her extensive history of teaching benefited the Pomona Unified School District (PUSD) for nearly thirty years prior to her retirement, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the University of LaVerne, where she was a visiting lecturer. Duncan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Chapman College, Master of Science degree in Education from the University of LaVerne, and did graduate work at UCLA, The Claremont Graduate University, and the University of California, Riverside.

Certified as a Master Teacher, Duncan was also a Secondary School counselor responsible for curriculum development, as well as guidance and pupil placement. In addition to her duties at PUSD, she was a coordinator for Project Sister's program "Hope for the Future" that served scores of at-risk youth in the Pomona Valley. Duncan was a founding member of the Pomona Valley Section of the Natoinal Council of Negro Women and also the founding president of the Pomona Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; she also served on many community boards. For her superlative leadership in public education, youth development, and community outreach throughout her adult life, Duncan received numerous awards and accolades. Duncan was a lifelong member of the AME Church and had been a member of Primm AME Church for 47 years.

Duncan was born to Solomon S. and Eva M. Finlayson on January 21, 1929, in Council Bluffs, IA. She leaves her spouse of nearly 54 years, Joseph L. Duncan of Pomona, children, Joseph S. Duncan of Santa Monica, Estella D. Holliday of Centreville, VA, and the Reverend Eva C. Duncan of Lancaster. The family is joined in grief by sisters-in-law Ida Roberson and Minnie McCauley, son-in-law Anthony S. Holliday, four grandchildren, Lawrence Duncan, Eleanor Holliday, Anthony J. Holliday and Jordan Duncan, as well as many nieces and nephews, a host of other relatives and friends.