Sally H. Durrant

Sally H. Durrant, of Pittsburgh, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, and was cremated the following day. She was reared in Garrett County, Md., by Robert T. and Mildred B. Hoffman, both deceased. She is survived by her husband, Robert E. Durrant; her brother, R. Thomas Hoffman; and by a remarkable collection of former students whose loyalty and sense of purpose were her greatest treasure. Though she earned a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh (among other academic achievements) and was licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and Ohio, her passions were working in the public schools as a teacher and administrator and her poetry. Mrs. Durrant taught and lived in accord with Churchill's declaration that "Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts." At her cremation, Mrs. Durrant wore one of her "We the People" state championship t-shirts and jeans. She carried with her a ceramic heart made for her by Andy Bullen, a charm bracelet given to her by the faculty of Hampton High School and three of her particularly favorite books, "Far from the Madding Crowd", "Plato's Republic" and "East of Eden." She rested her head on a yellow pillow made by a Shaler Middle School student which said, "Mrs. Durrant is number one." Mrs. Durrant would like to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for her. At her request no service will be held. Professional services entrusted to the care of D'ALESSANDRO FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY LTD. It is suggested that those wishing to make a contribution in her name provide support for the research efforts conducted by the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute or the Hillman Cancer Center.