1 Photo
Born August 2, 1941, in The Bronx, Ms. Durning moved to Sag Harbor after she married prominent local attorney James B. Durning Jr., whose father, James Sr., was the longtime general manager of the Bulova watchcase operation in Sag Harbor.
Ms. Durning became fully integrated in local Sag Harbor activities from the start. After raising her three children, she entered the workforce in the mid-1970s, eventually becoming director of operations of Gilpin & Co. in Water Mill, a company that dealt at the cutting edge of international brokerage of U.S.-made containers. In her capacity as general manager, she traveled extensively abroad, opening up markets in Europe, Asia and Australia, particularly those in the Far East.
When at home, Ms. Durning was never far from the Noyac Golf Club, where she was an active member for more than three decades. Whether she was at Noyac or one of the many other great courses on the South Fork, or in Florida during recent winters, or on an annual trip to Myrtle Beach with the girls, she was always happiest on a golf course, survivors said. Armed as she was with an infectiously sunny personality, they said, she brought to golf—that most demanding of sports—what she brought to the rest of her life: an unbounded optimism and enthusiasm, which made her always the best of company.
Ms. During was predeceased by her parents, William and Nettie Grimsley; and two brothers, William Jr. and Robert.
She is survived by her husband, James; three children, Jim, Laura and Tracey; grandchildren, Amy, Abbey and Jack; siblings, Richard, Barbara and James, and many friends.
A memorial service was held on March 16 at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Pompano Beach, Florida. A service will be held in the Sag Harbor area later this year, with details to be announced.
Memorial donations may be made to the 2014 Florida Brain Cancer 5K, to be held March 30 in Lake Worth, by sponsoring her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Holly, who will be running under the team name “Walking for the Warlord.” Search online for “Florida Brain Cancer 5K” to find the site, select “donate,” and search for participant Jim Durning to become a sponsor.
on Mar 24, 2014