I am so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She was a very kind person and obviously, a very talented and accomplished woman. God bless her family in this very difficult time.
Mary was clearly a very accomplished member of our class. She was also one of the kindest and sweetest people I've ever known. Thoughts and prayers to her family.
So sorry to hear about Mary. What a delightful giving, loving person. She had a very fulfilling life and touched so many people. I didn't know Mary but wish I did. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. I am sure she was a wonderful classmate to those that knew her. RIP Mary....
I'm so sorry to hear about Mary's passing. What a blessing that she and her husband adopted their 3 sons which lead the way to more adoptions in the family. How kind she was to sponsor so many exchange students from other countries. What an honor it was for her to be a curling official at the Winter Olympics! What a full life she lead and she touched so many lives!!! What a blessing you were, Mary, to so many others and being such a positive force in so many people's lives. You truly lead a meaningful life! I'm sending comfort to your friends and family members.
Very sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. I became acquainted with Mary back in 7th and 8th grade when I attended St. Pets ….a two year stint at the Catholic school that was my parent’s attempt to get help disciplining me. Mary was a very kind and gentle soul. We remained friends throughout high school while I never ran into her at the U of I in Champaign, we did reconnect at several of our high school reunions. A few years ago we exchanged ideas on ice cream recipes. Making home made ice cream was one of her passions. She shared her recipe for cinnamon/macadamia nut ice cream, although I withheld egg from my particular concoction. Mary will be sadly missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to have known her. My prayers are with her surviving family.
So sorry to hear about Mary - yet another classmate leaves our roster too soon. We rarely talked, but what I do remember was how nice a person she seemed to be. Condolences to her family and close friends.
I'm so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She was in several of my classes and I remember her as being a kind and sweet person. She certainly accomplished a lot in life and she will be missed.
Mary Ann Besore Durward's obituary was finally posted online:
Mary Besore Durward
July 8, 1952 - August 10, 2025
Mary Besore Durward, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on the 10th of August, 2025 at the age of 73 in Duluth, MN. Born on the 8th of July, 1952 in Glen Ellyn, IL, she lived a life filled with love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family.
Mary was known for her adventurous soul, generous spirit, and the ability to make everyone feel included. She cherished spending time with her siblings, children and grandchildren, and traveling all over the world to visit friends, walking and bicycling with her puppy, Sere, and tending to her vibrant garden. Her career as the county assessor and passion for volunteering, touched many lives in her community.
She is survived by her mother, Noreen Besore; children, Matthew (Marcie), Michael, and Andrew (Stacy); grandchildren, Jeremy, Zach, Victoria, Brandon, Noah, Ella, Samuel, Mason, Alayah, Emma, Tico, Hunter, Liam and Jackson; siblings, Barbara, Kathy, Nancy, Eileen, Charley (Juanita), Tom (Chantal); sister in law, Robin and many friends who will forever hold her memory close. She was preceded in death by her father, Francis; sister, Susan; brother, William; and her brother in law, Peter Martyn. Her legacy of kindness and strength will live on in all who knew her.
A celebration of Mary’s life was held on Thursday August 14th at 3pm First Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Superior St., Duluth MN 55802. The family extends heartfelt thanks for the love and support during this time. Mary will be buried privately at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.
Mary will be so missed. She was a sweet and fun classmate and I enjoyed reconnecting at the class reunion I will miss our Facebook chats and her pictures of her garden and hearing about her family I'm keeping her family in my thoughts and prayers and continued prayers for her grandson, Jackson.
Laura Salsbery
I am so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She was a very kind person and obviously, a very talented and accomplished woman. God bless her family in this very difficult time.
Linda Wessel (Schirmang)
Mary was clearly a very accomplished member of our class. She was also one of the kindest and sweetest people I've ever known. Thoughts and prayers to her family.
Ralph Klein
So sorry to hear about Mary. What a delightful giving, loving person. She had a very fulfilling life and touched so many people. I didn't know Mary but wish I did. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. I am sure she was a wonderful classmate to those that knew her. RIP Mary....
Marsha Virene (Matthews)
I'm so sorry to hear about Mary's passing. What a blessing that she and her husband adopted their 3 sons which lead the way to more adoptions in the family. How kind she was to sponsor so many exchange students from other countries. What an honor it was for her to be a curling official at the Winter Olympics! What a full life she lead and she touched so many lives!!! What a blessing you were, Mary, to so many others and being such a positive force in so many people's lives. You truly lead a meaningful life! I'm sending comfort to your friends and family members.
John Simanton
Oh dear! Another loss of a precious member! Thanks, Scott, for letting us know.
RIP Mary!
Jeff Reno
Very sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. I became acquainted with Mary back in 7th and 8th grade when I attended St. Pets ….a two year stint at the Catholic school that was my parent’s attempt to get help disciplining me. Mary was a very kind and gentle soul. We remained friends throughout high school while I never ran into her at the U of I in Champaign, we did reconnect at several of our high school reunions. A few years ago we exchanged ideas on ice cream recipes. Making home made ice cream was one of her passions. She shared her recipe for cinnamon/macadamia nut ice cream, although I withheld egg from my particular concoction. Mary will be sadly missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to have known her. My prayers are with her surviving family.
Brock Miele
So sorry to hear about Mary - yet another classmate leaves our roster too soon. We rarely talked, but what I do remember was how nice a person she seemed to be. Condolences to her family and close friends.Penn Reagan
I'm so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She was in several of my classes and I remember her as being a kind and sweet person. She certainly accomplished a lot in life and she will be missed.
Scott Zapel
Mary Ann Besore Durward's obituary was finally posted online:
Mary Besore Durward
July 8, 1952 - August 10, 2025
Mary Besore Durward, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on the 10th of August, 2025 at the age of 73 in Duluth, MN. Born on the 8th of July, 1952 in Glen Ellyn, IL, she lived a life filled with love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family.
Mary was known for her adventurous soul, generous spirit, and the ability to make everyone feel included. She cherished spending time with her siblings, children and grandchildren, and traveling all over the world to visit friends, walking and bicycling with her puppy, Sere, and tending to her vibrant garden. Her career as the county assessor and passion for volunteering, touched many lives in her community.
She is survived by her mother, Noreen Besore; children, Matthew (Marcie), Michael, and Andrew (Stacy); grandchildren, Jeremy, Zach, Victoria, Brandon, Noah, Ella, Samuel, Mason, Alayah, Emma, Tico, Hunter, Liam and Jackson; siblings, Barbara, Kathy, Nancy, Eileen, Charley (Juanita), Tom (Chantal); sister in law, Robin and many friends who will forever hold her memory close. She was preceded in death by her father, Francis; sister, Susan; brother, William; and her brother in law, Peter Martyn. Her legacy of kindness and strength will live on in all who knew her.
A celebration of Mary’s life was held on Thursday August 14th at 3pm First Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Superior St., Duluth MN 55802. The family extends heartfelt thanks for the love and support during this time. Mary will be buried privately at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.
Jean "Frosty" Pengelly (Lay)
Mary will be so missed. She was a sweet and fun classmate and I enjoyed reconnecting at the class reunion I will miss our Facebook chats and her pictures of her garden and hearing about her family I'm keeping her family in my thoughts and prayers and continued prayers for her grandson, Jackson.