Obituary of Arlene Catherine Durso

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Arlene Catherine (Lux) Durso of Gainesville, Va., went to be with her Lord at her home, surrounded by her family, on Dec. 26, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Joseph M. Durso, daughters Karen Swinley of Reston, Va., Nancy Durso, MD, of Vienna, Va., Lori Gerlaugh of Herndon, Va., and Mary Lou Marshall of Sterling, Va.  Also, her sons-in-law Paul Swinley, Phil Charlwood, Rob Gerlaugh and Dave Marshall, and her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Leslie, Tommy, Maggie, Gina, Trevor, Amy, Jesse, Audrey, Ellen, Joanie, Jed, Gordy, Haley, and Ruby. Also by her brother Ray Lux and family in Depew, N.Y., and her special nephew and niece, Paul and Ladys Lux of Rockville, Md., and children, Janine and Steven.

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Durso was born April 21, 1932 in Depew, N.Y., and was the youngest of five children of Albert and Josephine (Weibel) Lux. She graduated from Depew High School in 1950 and worked at the Gould Coupler company until her marriage in 1955.

 

 

 

 

 

She was a devoted wife and mother to her four daughters, and moved many times following her husband's career, always remaining the calm, loving and competent presence and creating a home wherever she was. The family settled in Reston in 1972 and have been blessed to have many family gatherings over the years at her home.

 

 

 

 

 

She was a creative seamstress and sewed many lovely dresses and costumes for her daughters. She loved to read and spent countless hours reading to her daughters and grandchildren. She was beautiful but never took pride in herself, although her accomplishments, sweet spirit, determination, and work ethic were admired by everyone who knew her.

 

 

 

She was quiet but loved to laugh and her dry sense of humor most often came in the form of wry comments on her husband's antics, always delivered with love but truly "zingers."

 

 

 

Arlene was a superior typist and organizational wizard, excelling in her jobs as secretary and administrative assistant at the former Gulf Reston development company, as well as accounting at the former InterOffice company.

 

 

 

 

 

She cared for her mother-in-law, Ruth Tichy, in her home and never missed an opportunity to help her daughters and take care of her grandchildren. She and Joe were long-time members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Reston.