Susan Rose Durkee

Susan Rose Distler Durkee died on October 30, 2024, in Tulsa, OK. She was born in Buffalo, NY on April 5, 1940 to Harold Robert (Bob) and Rose Mathilda Bierwirth Distler. Sue graduated from Putnam City High School and was a member of MENSA. She had many hours of accredited education; some for knowledge but most for shear fun. These varied from Hors d’ oeuvre 101, Photography to PC Maintenance Levels I and II to being certified as a Master Gardener, to bricklaying (she wanted a brick border around her flowerbeds). She was a recipient of The Oklahoman’s Golden Thimble. Along with 1500 individuals and teams, Sue entered the Oklahoma City Memorial International Design Competition. Her design was one of more the 600 submitted for Stage I, but went no further. The Durkees lived in Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth Metro, OKC, Shawnee, Sallisaw, Guthrie and back to OKC since the early 90’s. Sue had regular columns in several newspapers. Her employment was as varied as her interests. Her last “real job” was assistant to State Representative Charles Gray for 10 years. Sue had always been an officer, Board Member, or a volunteer of some sort. As Chair of Guthrie Park Board, she co-founded Guthrie Art Center. As Chair of Guthrie Forestry Board, she sought and received Tree City, USA designation for Guthrie for 10 years and the Growth Award for 8 years. She also hosted a gardening show on the local cable channel. Sue was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Franklin Edward Durkee, her parents, brother, Michael Robert Distler and sister, Judith Ruth Rives. Survivors include her son, Franklin Edward Durkee, Jr. and wife, Alison Dean Durkee of Coppell, TX, their children, Rachel Elisabeth Durkee and husband, Karl Anderson of Dallas, TX, Jacob Lewis and wife, Jansyn McKinney Lewis and their children, Leo Charles Lewis, Luka Jameson Lewis and Laken Archer Lewis of Coppell, TX and Matthew Robert Durkee of Dallas, TX, son Robert Phillip Durkee and wife Melissa Dorsett Durkee and their children, Abigail Renee Durkee of Dallas, TX and Lauren Nicole Durkee of North Richland Hills, TX, daughter, Kelly Ruth Durkee of Tulsa, OK, sisters, Joan Roberta Foreman of Bethany, OK, Anne Elizabeth Mary Distler of OKC, OK, and Christina Marie Ramsey of OKC, OK and their families. Requiem Holy Eucharist will be offered on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 10:30 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, 310 East Noble, Guthrie, OK. A private inurnment will be held at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Sue requested the in lieu of flowers, donations be made to CASA.