Jean Durkee
SHELDON – Jean Durkee, 92, passed away peacefully in the arms of her family on Friday, January 15th, 2021, after a lingering illness. Jean was born June 4th, 1928 at home in Highgate. She was the daughter of the late William Machia Jr. and Ruth (Bovat) Machia.
When she was four years old, her parents bought a farm in Sheldon where she lived until she married Homer Durkee Sr. in 1944. They worked on farms for about five years then decided to go to factory work. Jean spent 17 years at Fonda Container and then went on to Union Carbide for another 15 years.
Jean was a hardworking person throughout her entire life. Together, she and Homer raised their three sons, Homer Jr., John, and Terry. Working and caring for her home, she also maintained a vegetable garden, canned, and had a beautiful flower garden that was very special to her and quite a sight to behold. Jean loved to see the birds outside her window and was particularly fond of the chickadees and cardinals, the Blue Jays – not so much. She never let a visitor leave hungry and was well known for her signature Chili (Ma’s recipe). Hollywood Rummy was a favorite pastime, countless games were played in her later years with sister-in-law Charlene, great-granddaughters Abbey and Danica, and anyone else that stopped by who were up for the challenge.
Jean spent most of her life in Highgate and Sheldon. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She took great joy in having a five-generation family for the past three years. She leaves her son, Homer Durkee Jr. and his wife Ruth; daughter-in-law Arlene Durkee; her brother William Machia and his wife Charlene; her grandchildren Christopher Durkee, Tina Lamos, Heather Prive, Heidi Durkee, Karen Eggleston and Kim Durkee; her great-grandchildren Abbey, Danica, Ian, Ellijah, Isaiah, Noah, Travis, Alexis, Levi, Lucian, Adrienne, Olivia, Alexandria, Josh, Tyler, Nicole, Amanda, Melissa, Christian and John Jay; her great-great-grandchildren Fitzgerald, Sullivan, Livia, Myah, Alaynna, Averley, Ivy, Finnley, Carter, Layla and Bennett; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Jean was predeceased by her husband Homer, her sons John and Terry, great-granddaughter Ashley, sisters Janet, Helen, Barbara, Shirley, Ramona, Charlotte, Orpha, and her brother Ephriam.
Jean was an independent woman and with this she wanted to thank the numerous family and friends who helped her throughout her final years. She will be severely missed by those who loved her.
Friends and family are invited to Jean’s Life Celebration on Friday, January 29, 2021, to include the following, Visitation from 9:30-10:30 AM at The Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Ave., Swanton, VT and a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Louis Catholic Church, Lamkin St., Highgate. Interment will follow in St. Louis Cemetery in Highgate Center.
Goss Life Celebration Homes is the area’s exclusive provider of Life Celebration events. Please visit our website to share condolences, photos and favorite memories at www.gossfs.com
