Barbara Louise Durrin's Obituary
Barbara Louise Durrin, age 94, peacefully transitioned from this life to eternal glory with her Savior on December 19, 2024.
Barbara was born to the late Doris and Edwin MacEwan on February 4, 1930 in Queens, New York. As a child, raised by a single working mother, Barbara loved spending time with her grandmother, playing the piano, and going to the beach.
It was Latin class at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY where Kenneth Alan Durrin started the romance by making moves to win over beautiful Barbara. A four year courtship led to their marriage on September 7, 1952 followed by a storybook 69 years until Ken/Alan’s death in March of 2022. The marriage gave Barbara two dear sisters Patsy (David) Davis and Linda Durrin who became dear friends for life.
Early years married, Barbara worked for Best Foods company and was a hand model. First daughter Beth (Bruce) Walker was born and two years later daughter Susan (Frank) Shumaker. Barbara was a dedicated and loving wife and mother. She doted on her daughters being present and as perfect as possible. She excelled. From Mary Poppins birthday parties, making all her own decorations to typing friend’s term papers, being a scout leader, to sewing costumes for daughters and friends - Barbara loved it all. Her creativity burgeoned almost as big as her love. She was a gifted pianist and artist dabbling in all things creative.
When her daughters married and then had their children -Beth’s: Lauren (Aprotim) Sanyal, Melissa (Ben) Maxwell, Amanda (Jordan) Maddy and Susan’s: Corinne (Derek) Knight, Colleen Shumaker, Frank (Jessica) Shumaker, Peter (Emily) Shumaker, Shelby Shumaker - she was smitten. The devotion and creativity continued with sewing wedding dresses, knitting sweaters, making holiday chocolate pops, and being present to chauffeur, laugh, and love. She traveled to shows - dance and drama - and sports games - loving every moment.
As the later years came, so did the great grandkids - 15 to date - the treasures of her heart. Barbara loved hearing everything about them and with a keen mind and memory to the end, enjoyed their visits and sharing stories about them. Family meant everything to her. Possessing fantastic social skills and a joy of family and friends, Barbara loved saying in her last years (with a laugh and a twinkle in her eye), “Well, my body may not move but my mouth makes up for it!” She was fun! She was generous! She was loving and kind!
Lastly - she never complained. She had a lifelong faith in God and for His will to be done. Her last years she gained another wonderful addition to her loves - her caregiver Maria Reyes (truly a gift) who Barbara said was an angel sent by God and this obituary would be remiss not to share because of her importance to Barbara.
A visitation will take place at Loudoun Funeral Chapel on January 8, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a service beginning at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to: St. Jude’s, Boy’s Town, or your local Women’s Shelter.
Please share online condolences to the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com
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