Mary Ann Durante

There's a world inside each of us, shaped by every place we’ve been. Some are homesick for places never seen, while others are chasing sunsets in places they’ve never been. Our journey is our destination.

Mary Ann Durante (nee Fritzsche) possessed a soul fueled by road maps and reverie. Her feet were on the ground, and her eyes on the horizon. She loved the long drives over America’s open roads and traveling the world by sea, seeing the world with different eyes.

Home is the starting place of love, hope, and dreams. The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back. Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong, and laughter never ends. On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, after 76 years, the old country road took Mary Ann Home. Travel isn’t always pretty. Sometimes it hurts or even breaks your heart, but it’s ok. The journey changes you. One day, we will know how lucky we were to have known her love with wonder, not grief.

Mary Ann was born in Camden and had been, most recently, a Woodbury neighbor. To the world, she was just a mother, but to her family, she was our world. Mary Ann was a bit dry, a bit feisty, definitely hilarious! She loved her dogs, baking cookies in the kitchen, especially her incomparable pizzelle recipe, and just being with her family. “Nanny” wanted to know everyone. Mary Ann’s wanderlust had taken her to 53 state parks in a very brief 2 years. She enjoyed cruising and trips to Wellbsboro, with Waffle House along the way.

Mary Ann leaves to cherish her memory, her travel partner and hardworking husband of 55 years, Ronald J. Durante. She will be deeply missed by her children; Jennifer & her husband Brian Miller, Andrea Durante, and Chris & his wife Emily Durante. She is the proud “Nanny” of Katelyn Rose, Connor Patrick, Nicholas James, Brea Lynn, Tyler Christopher, Zachary Vincent, Ella Marie and Laci Paige. Mary Ann was predeceased by her brothers, Stephen and Patrick Fritzsche, as well as her beloved and faithful fur buddies, Nate & Buddy.

Relatives, neighbors, and friends are invited to gather with the Durante family. We’ll come together to share a long road of heartfelt memories, stories, and fond remembrances on Sunday afternoon between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm at Creran Celebration Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes, 400 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital using the link below.

#crerancelebration #heartfelt

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