Heather Ann Durst

Heather Ann Durst, 49, of Surprise, Arizona, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2026, following a courageous three-and-a-half-year battle with rectal cancer. Throughout her journey, Heather remained a beacon of positivity, maintaining her signature cheerful personality and an unwavering ability to find the good in every situation and person she encountered.

Born on Christmas Day in 1976 in Winter Garden, Florida, Heather brought joy to her family from the very start. Her family moved to Wadsworth, Ohio, in 1979 before eventually settling in Longmont, Colorado, in 1983. A proud 1995 graduate of Longmont High School, Heather’s journey later took her to Glendale, Arizona, and Indiana, where she pursued her calling in healthcare. In 2005, she earned her LPN certificate, embarking on a twenty-year career as a dedicated and compassionate nurse. She specialized in caring for patients in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, where her patients and colleagues alike valued her kindness and professional expertise. In 2024, she married her soulmate and the love of her life, John Durst, in a beautiful ceremony in Sedona, Arizona.

Heather lived life with a vibrant spirit and a wide array of interests. An outdoor enthusiast at heart, she found peace and strength through yoga and Pilates. She loved hiking the desert trails, relaxing by the pool, and spending sunny afternoons on her brother’s boat. A true fan of all things spooks, she loved horror movies, showcased her favorite characters through tattoos, and always looked forward to her favorite holiday, Halloween.

She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Keck; paternal grandparents, William and Ruth Dellenberger; and maternal grandparents, Clyde Casselberry and Betty Nixon.

Heather’s legacy of love continues through those she leaves behind: her devoted husband, John Durst; her beloved daughter, Alexis Kitchens; her stepchildren, Payton and Johnny Jimenez; her mother, Carole Keck; and her brother, Michael Keck. She will also be deeply missed by her four cherished cats—Tuna, Moonsz, Socks, and Ghost—who provided her with immense comfort and companionship. Her loss is felt by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and a vast circle of friends spanning the many states she once called home.