Photo courtesy of Douglass Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home
Reading, Massachusetts
Jun 3, 1934 – Dec 5, 2013 (Age 79)
Cornelia Ely (Norris) Durham, 79, passed away at home on December 5th, 2013 after a long illness. Born in Boonton, New Jersey on June 3rd, 1934 to Charles A. Norris, Jr. and Jean Isabelle (Murray) Norris, she grew up in Denville, New Jersey. She graduated from the Grier School in Tyrone, PA in 1952, and Colby-Sawyer Junior College in New London, NH in 1954. Upon graduation she moved to Boston, MA and began working at Harvard University where she met her future husband, Willard S. Durham. They married in 1955 and lived on Myrtle St. in Boston, eventually moving to Reading, MA in 1963.
Neenie, as she was known, co-founded Flower Pot Originals in 1967, opening the first storefront in Reading in 1973. An annual participant in the Boston Flower Show and Art In Bloom at the MFA in Boston, she was also a frequent lecturer to local garden clubs and taught floral design. Always active in the local community she volunteered at Winchester Hospital, was the treasurer of the Sawyer Nursery School, presided over the governing board of the Unitarian Universalist Church, was a member of the Reading Garden Club, the Mass. Horticultural Society, the Reading Chamber of Commerce, the Friends of the Reading Library, and the Mass. Orchid Society.
Upon retirement she traveled, took up yoga, joined book group to discuss politics and more, continued her ceaseless gardening and home decorating, designed and made beautiful quilts, as well as gorgeous needlepoint, and joined the local College Club.
She is survived by her three children, Jeffery N., his wife Julee A., their son Jeremiah E. of Powder Springs, GA.; Charles A., Sarah C. and her partner Michael H. Krol all of Reading, MA.
Services are family only. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the following: The Reno Cancer Center at Winchester Hospital, Attention Nursing Education, c/o Winchester Hospital Foundation, 611 Main St., Winchester, MA 01890; Friends of the Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Ave, Reading, MA 01867; or the Reading Scholarship Foundation, Inc. PO Box 492, Reading, MA 01867
My very best wishes to Sarah, Chad and Jeffrey.
Our mothers were best friends for years when we lived on Beacon Hill. Neenie was an amazing force of life! She brightened every room she walked into.
My heart goes out to you.
Julia Stephen Peppard
Julia Peppard
January 29, 2014 | San Francisco, CA
With daughter, Sarah, as my best friend, Neenie was like a mother to me growing up. She was an amazingly spirited, energetic, passionate woman. She will be very much missed and always remembered. Thoughts and prayers go out to Sarah, Chad and Jeff.
Claudia Fasciano
Claudia Fasciano
January 16, 2014 | Guilford, CT
We had known Neene for nearly 50 years.
She had so many talents...her flowers and her gardens,her needlework, her love and knowledge of history, her love and knowledge of antiques.... Truely "A Lady of All
Seasons."
Love and sympathy to Chad, Sarah and Jeff. Diana and Ed Kaine Julie Porter
December 16, 2013
I'll miss my little talks with her when I visit. She was so very smart and witty!
Dawn DiBlasi
December 15, 2013 | Fairfield, ME
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family at this most difficult time. Please be assured that God will help you cope with the heavy weight of your loss.
December 14, 2013 | NC
This book of memories is to serve as a record of the services you entrusted to us. We hope it will help to preserve treasured memories and that we, in some small measure, have helped to ease your burden and bring you comfort.
John B. Douglass & John B. Douglass II
December 14, 2013 | Reading, MA