Alyce C. Durant

Alyce C. (Conolly) Durant passed away peacefully on Friday, November 16, 2012 at Mercy Suburban Hospital in E. Norriton, PA. She was 91. Mrs. Durant was a resident of King of Prussia, PA since 1954. She was raised in Rosemont, PA and attended Radnor High School. Over the years she often visited and lived with close relatives in Mantoloking, N.J. and (before a 1950's battle with Polio) she loved swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. She talked of waving to the passengers on the Hindenburg Airship passing over Mantoloking Road shortly before it unsuccessfully tried to land at Lakehurst. During WWII she worked for Southern Bell in Durham, N.C. She was a devoted wife and a loving mother and grandmother. After raising 3 boys, she greatly enjoyed her work as a salesperson in the drapery department of John Wanamaker's Department Store in King of Prussia, PA. Alyce was baptized in Christ and married in the Catholic Church. In the early days of television her favorite show was "Life is Worth Living" later known as the "Fulton Sheen Program". Alyce attended various churches including Halls Avenue Methodist Church in Norristown, the Valley Forge Presbyterian Church, and most recently Mother of Divine Providence in King of Prussia. She enjoyed playing the piano, watching Korean Dramas on Mind TV, and watching Masterpiece Theater on PBS. Alyce was an avid reader - especially the close to 100 books by English author Catherine Cookson. She loved the British Section of the Upper Merion Public Library. Born in Bryn Mawr, PA on February 22, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Estella (LeCompte) Conolly. She was the wife of the late Samuel Paul Durant, her husband of 67 years, who preceded her in death on Jan 21, 2010. Surviving is her loving family including three sons: David Durant, his wife, Minnie, of Garland, TX and their daughter, Ellen, of Lubbock, Texas, Michael Durant, his wife, Mary, of Virginia Beach, VA and their daughter, Kathlene, of Wash. D.C, and Christopher Durant of Las Vegas, NV and his two sons, Kevin and Daniel; her sister, Sara Falkinburg and husband, Charles, of Toms River, N.J. and their children, Patricia and Timothy; her lifelong friend and first cousin, Catherine Morris and husband, Elbert, of Point Pleasant, N.J. and their children, Robert, Alan, and Susan; brother-in-law, John McGill of Hudson, FL; and two cousins, Alma Rutter of Ambler, PA and Rita Ryder of Broomall, PA. Two nieces, Agnes Ellen Stroup of Ardmore, PA and Joanne Young of Drexel Hill, PA and nephew, Joseph McClay of Ardmore, PA were able to be with her and comfort her during her last hours. She is also survived by many other nieces and nephews and their children. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank and William Conolly; and sister, Eleanor Anderson. The family would like to thank her many wonderful and caring neighbors - especially Sue and Rich Norman and daughter, Vicki and also her caregiver, Mimi Makoid from Assisting Hands. Alyce's Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Mother of Divine Providence Church, 333 Allendale Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406 on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 11:00 am. Officiating will be the Rev. Msgr. Joseph Murray. Relatives and friends may call on Saturday morning from 10 to 10:50 am, at the church. Interment will be private at the request of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Alyce's memory to the charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are by The Bacchi Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., Bridgeport, PA. www.bacchifuneralhome.com