Eleanor Johnsen Durand

Eleanor Johnsen Durand, 83, of Venice, Florida, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 7, 2025, surrounded by her loving daughters. 

Born on February 23, 1942, Eleanor was the daughter of the late Thorleif and Osta Johnsen. She was raised in Cranford, New Jersey, where her lifelong commitment to family took root. 

Eleanor earned her Associate’s degree from Union College in 1962 and worked as a dental nurse in Cranford for five years. She later stepped away from her career to dedicate herself fully to raising her family, a role she cherished above all. When she returned to the workforce, she held various positions at Sears Roebuck before retiring in 2005. 

In 1962, Eleanor married the love of her life, Barry Durand. Together, they built a beautiful life and home, first in Scotch Plains, NJ, where they raised their family for over 25 years. They later moved to Whitehouse Station, NJ, then Millsboro, DE, and eventually made Venice, FL, their final home. Eleanor took immense pride in being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Eleanor was a voracious reader and enjoyed playing Mahjong with her friends. Her life was defined by her deep love for her family and her unwavering support for those she held dear. 

Eleanor is predeceased by her loving husband Barry.  She is survived by her daughters, Christine Heron (Shawn) and Carrie Cardace (Victor); her beloved grandchildren, Kyle Heron (Sophia), Steven Heron, Brian Cardace, and Kelly Cardace; and her great-grandchildren, Brysen and Emily Heron. She also leaves behind her siblings, Ilene Baumann, Arthur Johnsen (Arlene), and Dorothy Wilson. 

A visitation will be held at Farley Funeral Home, 265 Nokomis Avenue South in Venice on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 11:00AM with a service to celebrate her life to follow at 11:30AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate