Rosa Marie Durkee

Rosa Marie Durkee, "Rosebud" left this earth late on July 5th for the place where only Love lives. Waiting for her there were her precious momma and daddy, Marie and Haskel Sands, her beloved nephew, Sean Lee Sands, her hero and sister, Sylvia Canada and her one true love, Frank "Big Durk" Durkee.

She lived for her son, Ryan Lee Durkee and his wife Jen, their baby boy, Ryan Lee Durkee, Jr. - Warrior, her daughter Cindy Halsey and her husband Darrin, their two loves, Lauren and Liam, and her step-daughter, Emily Gentry, husband Greg and sweet tribe, Julie, Amy, and Jack.

She was born into her own tribe on January 6, 1953 in the tiny town of Bluefield, WV. She was number four of six to a family that was short on the material and extra-long on love. This would become the simple code that Bud lived her life by. She loved the beach, she loved to dance and she loved a giant sandwich late at night. Her language was love; her religion, family.

As the years passed, this beautiful family relocated to Virginia Beach and multiplied by many. Follow along as best you can. First born and first to leave, Sylvia "Bunny" Canada and husband Jimmy, children Jimmy Jr. and Missy, Eldest brother Tom Sands and wife Gayle, Brother Jim Sands, children Lindsay and Sean Lee, Brother Ken Sands and wife Lisa, their son, Josh, Brother Mike and wife Debby, children Michael and Crystal and so many sweet great nieces and nephews.

Rosa served the children and least fortunate of our community with The City of Virginia Beach Department of Social Services. Her dedication to her clients was a bitter-sweet battle lost and won day after day for over 35 years.

Please join us on the river for her final send off and celebration of a life well lived. Come dressed for fun. Pungo Ferry Beach at the end of Old Pungo Ferry Rd. Virginia Beach, Friday, July 14th at 6:00.

Flowers are for the living so send some to someone you love and make a donation in Rosa’s grandson’s name, Ryan Lee Durkee Jr. to The Children’s Hospital of The Kings Daughters, Oncology Department.

https://www.chkd.org/Support-Us/Donate/