Charmaine Durance (nee Dodge)
March 19, 1935 – March 14, 20204
“Death brings a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
We are very sad to announce the passing of Charmaine Barbara Durance (nee Dodge) on March 14, 2024. The family is grateful to the amazing staff at the Dryden Regional Health Centre for their care and support.
Charmaine was born in Toronto on March 19, 1935, to Jessie and Gordon Dodge. The family subsequently moved to Jackfish and then Terrace Bay. After attending the Industrial Chemistry program at Lakehead Technical Institute, Charmaine went on to graduate from Ryerson Institute of Technology in Public Health Laboratory Technology.
While in Toronto, Charmaine met Bryon through a mutual friend. It was not long before she moved to Dryden, taking a job in the lab at Dryden District General Hospital. Charmaine and Bryon married on September 5, 1959. Together, they raised three children and owned a number of businesses, including Lana’s Shoes.
Charmaine loved many things in life, always busy with hobbies like gardening, golfing, sewing, painting, pottery and other crafts, volunteering in the community and weekly bridge games with friends. She tried many sports throughout the years, such as track and field as a girl, downhill and cross-country skiing with her children, and learning to rollerblade once her grandchildren came along. One of Charmaine’s favourite things to do was laugh, keeping her quick sense of humour until the very end.
Her children and grandchildren were continuously encouraged to learn, pursue all opportunities, keep an open mind, and ultimately, live life. Charmaine was always there to provide encouragement and celebrate successes. An independent, resilient, hardworking and naturally curious person, she instilled these traits in the ones she raised.
Charmaine is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bryon Durance, children Shaunda (Peter) Durance-Tod, David (Shelly) Durance, and Gordon (Tina) Durance, grandchildren Andrew, Iain, Evan, Kaileigh, Kaitlyn and Joshua, and sisters Bev Stolz and Pat Haylock. She is predeceased by her sister Betty and by her parents.
A private, family celebration of Charmaine’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dryden Regional Health Centre Foundation, P.O. Box 3003, Dryden, ON P8N 2Z6.
Condolences may be posted at www.dcfh.ca
Arrangements entrusted to the
Dryden Community Funeral Home,
249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
