Salem/Marblehead

Patricia (Cole) Durkee , wife of Daniel Blaisdell Ruggles III, of Marblehead/Salem, died September 25 at the age of 85, with her loving family by her side.

Born in Beverly, the daughter of the late Samuel Dodge and Georgianna (Wescott) Cole, she was raised and educated in Winchester. As a child Mrs. Durkee spent her summers in Marblehead where her Cole family roots run deep. Following her graduation from Winchester High School she attended Centenary Junior College and the Chamberlain School of Design. She was most proud of serving in the United Sates Marine Corps as an airplane mechanic during WWII until her discharge as a Sergeant in 1945.

After beginning her own family in Swampscott she moved permanently to Marblehead in 1957 where she raised her children and worked as a real estate agent for Atlantic Real Estate. In 1979 Mrs. Durkee achieved a life long goal when she completed her formal education at Salem State College receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Services at the age of 56.

Throughout her life Mrs. Durkee had many interests including skiing in North Conway every winter with her family. She was a member of the Sea Spray Garden Club, the Junior Aid Society, a volunteer at Salem Hospital, the Peaceful Movement Committee at Concord Reformatory, North Shore Catholic Charities as a Social Worker, North Shore Children's Hospital Thrift Shop and the Crombie Street Shelter.

Mrs. Durkee's greatest joy in life was her family, enjoying both her children's and grandchildren's activities. In particular, she loved watching her grandchildren play sports, entertain in dance and music and perform in theater.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children, Karen Heywood and her husband Clayton of Peabody, Joan Durkee and her husband John McGee of Newton, and Sarah Durkee and her husband Paul Jacobs of New York, NY; a sister Anne Beers of Westport, Ct; five grandchildren Andrew and Dana Heywood, Caitlin McGee, Ruby and Charlie Jacobs and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a brother, L. Donald Cole.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her memorial service on Saturday, October 11 at 11:00A.M. in the Old North Church, 35 Washington St., Marblehead. At the family's request there are no visiting hours. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers those who wish may make contributions to the Salem Mission, P.O. Box 810, Salem, MA 01970. For online guest book or additional information please contact Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St, Salem, MA, 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.