Elaine Beth Durham

Elaine Beth Durham, daughter of Lloyd and Alice (Bemiss) Hollenback, passed away on May 6, 2019 at the age of 70.  She was born on June 11, 1948 at St. Joseph Hospital in Flint, MI.  She grew up in Byron, MI. and graduated as valedictorian from Byron High School in 1966.  She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1969 and started her career as a registered nurse. She married Kenneth Robert (Bob) Durham in 1969 and started a family in 1972.  Between 1972 and 1999, she lived in Anderson, IN; Shreveport, LA; Kokomo, IN; Milwaukee, WI; and Grand Blanc, MI.  She and her husband (Bob) then moved to Oro Valley, AZ in 1999 where she spent her last 20 years.

She retired as a Major from the US Army Reserve in 2008 where she served as a Registered Nurse and was called up for active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  She often stated that entering the US Army Reserve was the best decision she ever made. She devoted significant effort in researching her family genealogy going back to before the American Revolution which led to her being accepted in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Elaine enjoyed playing Canasta, Shanghai, and Mah Jongg with several groups of friends in Oro Valley.  She enjoyed traveling all over, from Hawaii and Alaska to Italy and Germany. She enjoyed gardening in the desert which led to her becoming a Master Gardener.  Above all, she had an overwhelming love for her family and a regular habit of spoiling her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband Bob Durham, her sons Matt and Mark (Jessica) Durham, her grandchildren Quinn, Grant, Cocoa (Shi Tzu), Jack (mix), and CC (Goldendoodle), siblings Nancy (Mike) Wolanin; Fred (Linda); Frank; Dennis (Sandy) and Joe Hollenback.

A visitation will be Tuesday May 14, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, with a Funeral Service 1:00 PM on Wednesday May 15, 2019 at Marana Mortuary Chapel.  Burial is pending at this time.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donation be made in her name to either the American Cancer Society or the American Brain Tumor Association.