Marien Durst

     Marien Dieteman Durst, 95, of Erie, died Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Forestview Health Care Center.  She was born January 14, 1922, the only daughter of the late John E. and Mary Alma Reck Dieteman, in St. Marys, Pa.

     In December, 1934, the family moved to Erie where Mr. Dieteman was Treasurer of Erie Resistor Corporation.  Marien enrolled at Academy High School as a freshman.  She graduated in June, 1938, being a Commencement speaker - her topic was Music in Erie.  She was a charter member of The National Honor Society at Academy.

     She joined the freshman class at Lake Erie College, Painesville, Ohio where she was a member of the College Choir and Kappa Alpha Sigma honorary society, and later served as trustee.  She received a B.A. Degree in French in 1942.  During her fifth year at Lake Erie College, she taught freshman music courses and received a Bachelor of Music Degree in piano and organ.  Also during her fifth year, having taken a course in journalism, she would go down to The Painesville Telegraph every day and write the Sports Page.  She was an enthusiastic Detroit Tigers fan.

     After graduation, she worked on the Society Page at The Erie Dispatch Herald, and was later promoted to the Women's Page Editor. 

     She was organist at Luther Memorial Church until her marriage to G. Chester Durst in 1947 at The Little Church Around the Corner in New York City.  Since then she served as substitute organist at various churches around Erie.

     She was a 60+ year member of The Woman's Club of Erie and a 50-year member of the Erie Branch of A.A.U.W.  She was a longtime member of The Tuesday Morning Music Club and was recently awarded an Honorary Membership for "her outstanding contribution to the club and to the field of music".  Mrs. Durst also enjoyed reading, counted cross stitch, knitting, crocheting, cooking and baking.  She was often seen at her children's sporting, musical and school events.

     Her husband of 59 years, George Chester Durst preceded her in death in 2006.  She is survived by three children: a daughter, Mary Jo Markley of Tampa, Fla., and two sons, John E. Durst and his wife Nancy of Erie, and George S. Durst and his wife Kathy, also of Erie.  She is further survived by six grandchildren: Jenifer Boswell and husband Jim of Palm Harbor, Fla., Jill Chalkley of Tampa, Fla., Timothy Durst and wife Leslye of Erie, Scott Durst and wife Emese of Chicago, Ill., and Brad and Brandon Durst, both of Erie; and seven great-grandchildren, Jocelyn and Jilian Boswell, Jacob, Rachel and Trevor Chalkley, and Nolan and Brennen Durst.

     She was a member of Glenwood United Methodist Church where she was organist at various times and played in the Hand Bell Choir.

     The family will receive friends at Glenwood United Methodist Church, 2931 Myrtle Street, Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m.  The Rev. Matthew R. Judd will officiate.  Private interment will be in Erie Cemetery. 

     Marien’s family would like to extend a sincere Thank You to the staff of Forestview for their love and care throughout Marien’s stay.