Jeanne Stewart Durham

Jeanne Stewart Durham

Born: December 31, 1937, in Owls Head, Maine to the proud daughter of a lobster fisherman, Russell Stewart, and his devoted wife, Lucy Stewart.

Immediately, after graduating from Rockland high school in 1955, Jeanne joined the Air Force and was stationed in San Antonio , Texas. This is where she met the love of her life Johnnie Durham. They were married in her hometown of Owls Head, Maine in the spring of 1957 i n a house filled with lilac blossoms, which is her favorite scent to this day.

Johnn ie was soon stationed in Bitburg, Germany, the entire first year of their marriage. As he left her, he told her, “in just a little while we will be together” she held tight to these words that entire year. She joined him in Bitburg, West Germany, in 1959 where she gave birth to a daughter and son.

Three years later they moved to California , where a nother son and a daughter were born. They moved several times and found the home that they raised their two daughters and two sons in on Regina Street, Hudson, New Hampshire, 1968.

Easter Sunday, 1973 Jeanne stepped out alone, attending a church in town. It is here her searching to fill the empty place in her soul was filled when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She soon persuaded her four children and Johnnie to join her. She discovered her love of ministering to children, both through the bus ministry and teaching Sunday school each week. Her love was telling children that they too could accept Christ as their savior and know that they can go to heaven. Thousands of lives of young children have been touched by her decision, changing generations of our family and extended family , and so many more to come throughout her ministry of 50 years.

In 2001, as Johnnie faced his last days, battling cancer, they whispered to each other, “in just a little while we will be together”. She has lived her life waiting for that glorious day, when she shall see her precious Savior face-to-face, and be greeted with open arms by the love of her life once again.

After the death of her husband, h er son, Vic, daughter-in-law Sharon and their three children welcomed her to live with them .

She spent her days caring for her Sun Concurs , her cat and enjoying the company of her family. She loved her church, the outside and visiting the horses.

She loved hearing her granddaughters sing for the Lord . S he talked about her grandchildren, and particularly Joseph who was a police officer after her son, Vic. She was especially proud that her granddaughters, Sarah, and Alicia bec ame nurses like her. There are five granddaughters and great granddaughters named after her.

Her son, Vic was by her side every day of her struggles with her health and never let her feel like she was a burden. He wanted her to feel independent, even when she could no longer be , in her final days. She went home with the Lord, November 24, 2022 . She was almost 85 years old.

Mom, we are now the ones that hold onto the words, “in a little while we will be together”. You have dreamed for and prayed for our family far beyond what we would have imagined and deserved. A Prayer Warrior for our entire family you were.

You r step of faith, paved the way and now leave behind a great work of pastors, pastor wives and children, church staff members, teachers, music leaders, community workers, and so much more.

Her face, laugh, phone calls, and overall presence, will be greatly missed .

S he leaves behind, Pastor and Lynn Hileman of Hudson, NH (daughter), Vince and Trudi Durham of Hudson , NH (son), Victor and Sharon Durham of Halifax, Virginia (son) , Ret. Pastor Patrick and Debra Heuveline, Minot, Maine (daughter) .
Grandchildren:  Amy Neel, Joseph Hileman, Rebecca Sanchez, Sarah Roch e ford, Shelby Frenette, Vince Durham, Jacob Durham, Mariah Russell, Brianna Durham, Alicia Hogan, Saisha Zaborowski, Jesse Durham, Gretchen Hadley, Sharon Heuveline, Michael Heuveline, Dan Heuveline and 27 Great Grandchildren with so many caring nieces and nephews .

Jeanne’s passion was to tell people about Jesus. S he wants you to be sure heaven is your destination so that you too can say, “in a little while, we will be together.”

We look forward to seeing you too. We will be easy to find in heaven, just listen for a very loud group, rejoicing, and celebrating throughout eternity!