Veronica Jean (Austin) Durant

Cambridge, NY – Veronica Jean Durant, 93, a longtime resident of Cambridge, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at the Center for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, VT.

Born February 14, 1932 in Cambridge, NY, she was the daughter of the late Claude Burdell and Edythe May (Welling) Austin. Veronica was a graduate of Cambridge Central School, Class of 1949.

Over the years, Veronica held several jobs in the Cambridge area. She and her husband operated the theater in Cambridge and she also worked at area restaurants and at the Owl Kill Farm. Veronica and her husband later owned and operated Durant’s Taxi Service in Cambridge where she worked as a taxi driver. She also served as a bus driver for Cambridge Central School for many years until her retirement.

Veronica was a member of the former Embury United Methodist Church in Cambridge. She enjoyed reading and watching soap operas, and had a special love for animals, especially dogs and cats. Veronica also loved milkshakes from Stewart’s. She was an avid fan of NASCAR racing and enjoyed watching professional wrestling.

She is survived by her children, Claudia (Armando) Willard-Vasquez of Laguna Niguel, CA, Eva May (Eric) Tanski of Waterford, NY, Barbara (Sherman) Townsend of Cambridge, and Eileen Floyd of Henderson, NV; her daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Durant of Cocoa, FL; her brother-in-law, Charles (Joan) Durant of Fairhaven, VT; her grandchildren, Doug (Bryce) McLenithan, Eric (Alexandria) Tanski, Elena (Dominick) Caldarazzo, Kris (David) Spence, Steven (Jessica) Townsend, Matthew (Rachel) Townsend and Jessica DeMarco; as well as several great-grandchildren, William, Jessica, Jace, Khalia, Kamryn, Vanessa, Ava, Sammy, Emma, Wyatt, Charlotte, Cooper, Tyson, Kyle, Zachary and Connor and many nieces & nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Henry Timothy Durant, who passed away August 16, 1995; a daughter, Edith DeMarco; a son, Timothy Durant; and a grandson, Jason Townsend.

Veronica was a wonderful mom and will always be in our hearts. We miss you so much.

Funeral services will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions in memory of Veronica may be made to the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, 37 Gilbert St., Cambridge, NY  12816 or the Cambridge Vol. Fire Dept., P.O. Box 554, Cambridge, NY  12816.

To express your sympathy or share a memory of Veronica, please visit www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com

The Ackley, Ross & Gariepy Funeral Home in Cambridge is handling arrangements.

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