Mary Janis Duerr

She was born January 9, 1946 in Louisville, the daughter of the late Omer E. and Mary Elizabeth (Sipes) Burnett. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sister, Deanna Pardue.

Jan was of the Catholic faith which sustained her throughout her life. She found comfort in knowing she never walked alone.

She was a graduate of the Bellarmine School of Nursing and went on to specialize in Cardiac Critical Care Nursing. She also later worked in home health care and for the Red Cross. She was not just an RN by title, she embodied and lived her profession in and outside of work always willing to take care of and assist friends and family in need.

Jan was extraordinarily creative. Her hobbies included sewing, needlepoint, gardening, crafts and amazing Halloween costumes. She truly loved all her pets and grand pets and even had a pet skunk as a very young girl. She had an extra special affinity for the Zoo, especially the gorilla exhibit at the Louisville Zoo. She was an avid gardener and loved to be outside in her yard. She loved those around her and would always go above and beyond to make holidays, events and life as special as possible. Sleepovers with her grand girls, affectionately known as Grammy Camp, was one of her most cherished times and always included a special activity or craft. She went out of her way to make birthdays and holidays special for her loved ones with over-the-top backyard parties; her way of showing her true love.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children, daughter, Jennifer McCraw, her husband Johnny and son, Jeffrey Duerr, his wife Angela; her four grandchildren, Jada and Julia McCraw and Aela and Ainsley Duerr; close friend Bill Fant and several nieces and nephews.

A gathering to celebrate Jan's life will be held from 1 to 3pm on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Arch L. Heady-Cralle Funeral Home, 2428 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY 40206.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jan’s name to the Louisville Zoo at louisvillezoo.org/give.