Janet Aquistapace Durkee

Janet Aquistapace Durkee

Janet M. (Aquistapace) Durkee, 74, passed away unexpectedly on October 10, 2025. Born in Rutland, VT, Janet was a member of the Mount Saint Joseph Academy Class of 1969. She graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing where she learned the skills that led to her lifelong devotion of nursing and caring for other people. Her carefree spirit and compassionate nature lifted up her family and eased the pain for countless friends and strangers.

Janet’s 45+ year career brought her to many hospitals in many states but her heart was with the Rutland Regional Medical Center where she excelled at her favorite role as an Emergency Room Shift Manager. In her later years, she was the Director of Westview Court, a home for the severely disabled. No surprise she loved her residents and their families and they loved her. She was the best advocate for her patients. Even after her retirement she cared for all of us.

Janet was a master craftswoman who always shared her talents. Gifts of homemade jam, Christmas ornaments and custom made quilts were her specialties. If you haven’t received one from her, it’s because she ran out of time. A kid at heart, Janet enjoyed EVERY holiday, with a close tie between Halloween and Christmas. No decoration was out of the question.

She was predeceased by her husband Dean Durkee and her parents Frank and Catherine Aquistapace and her brother Paul.

She is survived by her loving children and grandchildren who she loved with all her heart: Sarah Durkee and grandson Noah Durkee of Rutland; Devon Durkee and husband Joe Bettolo and their children Alexa, Eva and Joe Betollo of Utah and Ethan Durkee and his wife Kristin Brogren of Rutland. She also leaves behind her sister Patricia Trapeni of Rutland, brother Frank Aquistapace and his wife Suzanne of Rutland, and her sister Mary Smoolca and her husband Joseph of CT. She had special relationships with her aunts and uncle; Laura Aquistapace, Regina Sears and Julie and Fred Boudreau as well as her many nieces and nephews.

Janet would not want us to be sad about her passing. She would want us to do a kind gesture in her memory. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, October 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ the King Church to celebrate her life.