On July 27, 2026, Jane departed this earthly life, ascending to the heavens to be reunited with her beloved husband, Robert Durkee, who patiently awaited her for twelve years. Her family takes great comfort in knowing he was there to greet her with a joyous smile, extending his hand to welcome her back into his arms.
Born on Maui, Hawaii, on August 11, 1922, to Korean tailors Chang Kyoung Pak and You Sun Duk, Jane inherited a remarkable talent for sewing. Over her lifetime, her fine craftsmanship was expressed through love, as she frequently hand-stitched work suits for her husband and some beautiful gowns for her daughter, Patti.
Jane’s early life was marked by profound resilience. Following her mother's passing when Jane was just a young girl, she was adopted into a new family. In an incredible twist of fate during high school, classmates noticed her striking resemblance to another student. This discovery led to an emotional reunion with her biological brothers and sisters, sparking a lifelong, cherished bond.
While working at the newspaper, Jane noticed a man who instantly caught her eye. Their first date at a local coffee shop confirmed her intuition was right and he was "the one." They married and beautifully blended their families; Bob unconditionally embraced her young sons, Ted and Lee, as they went on to welcome three more children of their own: Bobby, Patti, and Ricky.
As her husband rose through the ranks of the US Army, Jane gracefully transitioned into the role of an officer's wife. Vivacious and outgoing, she truly knew no strangers. While being stationed in Rhode Island, she mastered New England cooking (Baked Beans, Brown Bread, Apple Pie-always served with slices of Vermont Cheddar Cheese) while famously introducing neighborhood children to her signature beef teriyaki around an open fire. The family later traveled to Taiwan, where Jane effortlessly supported her husband's rank, socializing with the upper echelons of Taiwanese and Thai societies.
Jane and her husband eventually concluded their military careers in Illinois before finding their final resting places in Virginia. Jane’s vibrant spirit lives on through her surviving children: Steven Lee, Robert Alan, Patricia Marie and Richard Edward, along with her six beloved grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She will also be deeply missed by a steadfast family friend, William Conley, alongside a host of extended family and friends.
While we mourn her physical absence, we find peace in knowing that this is not the end of Jane’s story. Rather, it is the graceful transition to a beautiful new chapter—one where she is eternally reunited with her beloved husband, watching over the family she so proudly built and loved.
