Obituary

Janet Fay Cottrell Durand, 86, went to be with the Lord March 2, 2026. Born February 28, 1940, in Meadville, PA, to the late Henry and Elizabeth Cottrell. She loved her sisters, Florence, Esther, Myrtle, Velva, Sherry, and Linda; and brothers, Richard, Clifford, and Henry Jr. Loved and married to the late Mervin James “Jim” Durand. Together they shared three children, Bruce Durand (Trisha); Duane Durand (Melissa); and Laura Krouse (Andrew). Also survived by grandchildren, Stephanie Downes (Joseph Jr.); James Durand (Dorothy); Sierra Durand; Hannah Durand; Griffin Lewis; Jessica Lewis Huskey (John); great grandchildren, Theodore, Joseph III, and Malcolm Downes; Keyleth Durand; Noah Todd; and Lily, Charlie, and Hannah Huskey. Janet was a graduate of Saegertown High School, was a babysitter, and worked at Robert Shaw of Indiana. Janet retired as a cook after 32 years from Apollo Ridge Sr. High School, where she loved talking to the students. At Iselin Community Church, she was a custodian, teacher, singer, and played the piano while Jim played steel guitar, both deacons, cooks, and carpenters and servants for the Lord. Janet loved gardening, yard work, and listening to gospel music and preaching on the computer and cell phone. She enjoyed watching game shows, westerns, and occasionally Star Wars and Star Trek with Jim. Janet fought through Parkinson’s Disease with the help of Jim, VNA of Indiana, and Windber and Somerset Home Health. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on June 27, 2026, at Iselin Cemetery. Donations may be made in Janet’s memory to Iselin Community Church, PO Box 62, Saltsburg, PA15681, in care of Pastor Patrick Yaconis. Arrangements in care of Simple Alternatives, Inc., Affordable Cremation & Sensible Funeral Care. Condolences may be made at SimpleAlternativeCares.com