Grandmother, librarian, world traveler

Barbara Anne Clarke Durian was born March 29, 1938 in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. She graduated from Kent State University in Ohio, where her father was a professor. She taught briefly in Ohio before moving to California, where she taught at Bonita High School in La Verne. She later became a librarian at Bonita High, and went on to work in that capacity at Pomona Public Library, Ekstrand Elementary School, and Citrus College Library.

She was married to Hal Durian for 61 years. They lived Claremont for 60 of those years, raising their sons Mark, Brad, and Matthew. She served on the city’s traffic safety committee and was active with St. Ambrose Episcopal Church.

She died of Alzheimer’s disease on February 13 after a full life that included travel to India, China, Russia, Argentina, and most countries of Europe.

She is survived by her husband Hal Durian; sons Mark Durian of Mesa, Arizona, Brad Durian of Santa Barbara, California, and Matthew Durian of San Dimas; her sister, Martha Williams of Orange, California; and grandson Maxwell J. Durian.

“Barbara, with her kindness and bright smile, will be missed,” her family shared.