Ann Marie Durst Obituary

Ann Marie (Mooney) Durst, 82, of Kent, Ohio, passed away peacefully, and in the presence of family, on June 30, 2025, after a rapid and courageous battle with Central Nervous System Lymphoma - an immeasurable loss for all who loved her. Previously invincible, she remained fiercely independent, self-reliant, and active until the end.

Ann Marie is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Durst (Justin Robbins) and grandchildren, Olive and Clark of Granville, in addition to her nieces and nephew who she loved like her own: Susan (Steven) Mileski, Cindy (Manny) Garcia, Mary Ann (Prem) Akkaraju, and Bill (Adrienne) Dickerson, as well as two brothers, Michael Mooney of New York City and Bob Mooney of Kent. She was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Jo Ann Dickerson.

Ann Marie was born on April 18, 1943, in Kent and spent most of the following 82 years there, graduating from St. Mary Catholic High School in Akron in 1961. From there she spent a time at Villa Maria in Pennsylvania, studying with the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, before returning to earn a bachelor’s degree, then a master’s in education at Kent State University.

Her truest self when with children, Ann Marie devoted her life to being a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, and an accomplished teacher. She taught at St. Patrick’s School in Kent, West Main Elementary in Ravenna, and Stanton Middle School in Kent - all places she was cherished as a favorite teacher by many. She was a loving, enriching, fun and supportive mother to Elizabeth, and a devoted “Mimi” to Susan, Cindy, Mary Ann, and Billy, and later to their children, including, most closely, Jack, Steven, and Rachel Mileski. Over the last eight years she spent much of her time as a present, playful, doting, and deeply loving Nana to Olive and Clark - the role we are grieving the most.

We will remember her in all the joys of life, big and small, and in all the love that surrounds us. She will be with us in every hug, every time we laugh until we cry, on bike rides at Kent State, on summer trips to Chagrin Falls and Hale Farm, autumn at Beckwith’s, sled riding, playing Guess Who, Old Maid, and Riddle Ma Riddle Ma Re, and in every bookstore visit. We will forever admire her ability to keep a meticulous home and her quick Irish wit. We’ll find comfort in the smell of Irish Spring soap and Jergens hand lotion, and the taste of white bread with butter, DeVitis spaghetti, Boston Cream donuts, Mallo Cups, and cannoli. We keep with us her unique and genuine ability to take interest in others, to make one feel seen, to compliment, and to demonstrate immense and unconditional love. Mom, we carry our love for you always and thank you for these gifts that began with you and will live on in us.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 1:00PM at United Methodist Church of Kent, 1435 E. Main St. Kent, OH 44240 with the Rev. Nathan Howe officating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 12:00-1:00PM on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to support cancer research through The James Fund for Life at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.