Jane Anne (Durning) Guilbeault

HOLDEN - Jane A. (Durning) Guilbeault – devoted wife, mother, and staunch Irish-Catholic, died Tuesday March 20, after a brief battle with leukemia. She was 73.Jane, a lifelong resident of the Worcester area, was the daughter of John E. and Eileen C. (Deignan) Durning. Jane grew up in Holden, the eldest of four children. She graduated from Worcester State with a degree in elementary and special education. Jane spent several years working at Our Lady of Mercy School, and appreciated all the joy that her students brought her. She met her love and partner in life, Henry J. Guilbeault, Jr. (deceased), one summer while working as a waitress at the Cranberry Inn in Chatham, while he was working as a life guard at Race Point at the National Seashore. After having her only child, she worked for many years as a teachers’ aid and substitute teacher. Later in life, Jane received her paralegal certification through Anna Maria College, and worked in the Trusts & Estates Department at Shawmut Bank.Jane will be remembered as the matriarch of her generation, and the “queen of everything”. She always marveled that “Worcester is a small town”, as she and her large family of Durnings, Deignans, and Guineys served to connect them to much of Worcester. Jane will be remembered for her love of family and friends… and shopping and M&Ms. Although she was never a sports fan, she was known for being a huge admirer of David Ortiz and calling him “so cute”. In addition, Jane enjoyed good mystery novels and television shows, from Mary Higgins Clark to Murder She Wrote.Jane lost the love of her life, Henry, in November of 2016. Jane is survived by her daughter Kim (Guilbeault) Vickerman and her husband Mark, of Annapolis, Maryland. She leaves behind two grandchildren, John and Kelsey, who adored their Grammy. As one of four children, Jane leaves behind her two brothers, John E. Durning, Jr., of Rutland and James F. Durning of Worcester. Her sister Nancy E. (Durning) Shea preceded her in death. In addition, she leaves behind many adoring in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, March 23rd at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, March 24th at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson. A committal service will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Holden in the spring of 2018. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Jane’s name to Abby’s House of 52 High Street, Worcester, one of Jane’s favorite charities to help support women. To share a memory or offer an online condolence visit our "Guest Book" here on this page.