DURKIN Jane Frances (nee Anthony), 76, died at home in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 26, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Passaic, New Jersey, October 12, 1936, she was predeceased by her parents, Alfred F.X. Anthony and Henrietta C. Streckfuss Anthony, treasured sister Ruth Mary Anthony and treasured Aunt Margaret Anthony. She is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Martin T. Durkin, Sr. and their loving children, Ruth Mary Durkin Mallett (Russell), of Boston, Massachusetts; Jane Frances Durkin Samuel (F. Thomas "Terry"), of Lexington, Kentucky; and Martin Thomas Durkin, Jr. (Amy), of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as eight grandchildren, with whom she spent countless hours. She is also survived by her much cherished cousin, Mary "Mimi" Moore, M.D. of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania and special sisters-in-law Katherine Ahrens, River Vale, New Jersey and Arlene Durkin, Cresskill, New Jersey.
Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in October 2010, her will to live was nothing short of remarkable. Due to complications from her cancer, Jane and Martin moved in November 2011 to be near their daughter, leaving behind family as well as decades-old friendships. They were welcomed with true southern hospitality at their new residence, The Lafayette, in Lexington.
Jane graduated from Passaic High School in 1954, received her Bachelor of Arts from Montclair State College in 1958, and Dual Major and Teaching Certifications in Mathematics and History and Master Degree in Education in 1992 from St. Peter's College.
Jane had a long teaching career that included many years at Hackensack High School and the Ridgefield Park School District, first at Lincoln School and then at the High School as a math teacher, retiring in 1997.
Jane was involved throughout her life in numerous civic-minded organizations including: Young Democrats of Bergen County; Bergen County Democratic Women's Club; Ridgefield Park Women's Club; Ridgefield Park Pool Commission and as a long-time Trustee of the George Bate Memorial Fund for Student Loans and the Ridgefield Park Public Library.
Jane loved music, and was a highly accomplished flutist; an avid bird watcher; a friend of animals big and small; reader of the N.Y. Times, The New Yorker, National Geographic, and similar publications.
Before her illness, Jane enjoyed dining with their closest friends in New Jersey, traveling in her later years overseas with Martin, visiting her children and grandchildren, and spending time at their home in Lake George (Ticonderoga), NY. The family would like to extend their deep appreciation and love to both Jane's NJ friends and lake friends in particular, Janette and Norrell Meehan, for their love and devotion over the years.
A funeral mass will be celebrated in Lexington at 10am on February 1. 2013, at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary, followed by interment at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly, NJ on Thursday, February 7th at 11:30am. A memorial service mass will be held at St. Francis, Ridgefield Park, NJ in Spring 2013 on a date to be determined, where family and friends will be welcomed to gather and celebrate Jane's life. In lieu of flowers, her family wishes for donations to be made to the Ridgefield Park Public Library (107 Cedar St, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660) and the George Bate Memorial Fund (PO Box 74, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660) to insure vital funding for the continued education of future generations. Local arrangements have been handled by Vorhees-Ingwersen Funeral Home, Ridgefield Park, NJ.
Ruth and Martin Jr. would also like to extend their love and gratitude to their dearest sister Jane, her husband Terry and their three children for assuring that Mom's days in Lexington were full of countless hours of blessed love, compassion and companionship.
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