Ruth Vondras Durantine, devoted educator

Ruth Vondras Durantine, 94, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, at her home in Corning, N.Y.

She was born in Cicero, Ill., Aug. 14, 1926, daughter of James and Mary (née Farina) Vondras. She grew up in Newburgh, N.Y., with her three brothers and sister. She traveled with her husband, Toni, until she settled in Greenbelt, Md., to raise her family.

She and her family attended St. Hugh’s Catholic Church, where she taught CCD classes for several years. Her compassion led her to attend the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute in Washington, D.C., which provided her training to start religious education classes for the parish’s children and adults who had mental disabilities.

Her work involved ensuring the students received the sacraments, the Holy Eucharist and confirmation, starting the annual children’s Christmas mass, and serving on the Parish Council.

Professionally, she worked as a librarian’s assistant at Greenbelt Public Library, and secretary at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Md., as well as Archbishop Spaulding High School in Glen Burnie, Md., from where she retired.

Upon retirement, she relocated to Long Neck, where she was active in Mary Mother of Peace Church, participating in and conducting Bible studies. She also was involved with a Methodist church Bible group.

In 2007, she moved to Corning, N.Y., to live near her daughter and her family.

She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, George of Newburgh and James of St. Louis, Mo., and sister Marie of Trenton, N.J.

She is survived by her brother, the Rev. John Vondras of Newburgh; 24 nieces and nephews; her sons: Anthony, wife Lorna, and son Anthony and his children Amelia, Frank and Josiah of Greenbelt, and daughter Antonella, with husband John Jafari and her children Nino and Reza of Washington, D.C.; Peter, wife Angela, and daughter Emma and son Elijah of Hummelstown, Pa.; son Matthew and companion Jeanne of Wheaton, Md.; and daughter Nicolette Butler, husband Douglas, and children Derek, Sarah, Noah, Jeanette (Isabella) and Nicholas of Painted Post, N.Y. 

She has nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was a member of All Saints Parish in Corning, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 17. Her Christian burial, at St. Catherine's Cemetery in Addison, N.Y., is scheduled for a later date.

Funeral arrangements are by Barber Funeral Home of Horseheads, N.Y.