Jean (Zwicker) Durant

Jean Zwicker Durant, 82, an Army Wife who traveled and supported her husband of 59 years in worldwide assignments, died December 19 at Sunrise Reminiscence Care from complications from Lewy Body Dementia.

Jean was born at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York, where her father, a 1927 graduate, was an instructor. She traveled extensively with her parents to assignments throughout the United States, Germany and Japan.

She met her future husband John while she was a student at the College of William and Mary and they were married in 1958 following her graduation. Their first duty assignment was at Fort Benning, Georgia, where she taught elementary school and served as President of the Fort Benning Chapter, Daughters of the United States Army. Following that assignment, she accompanied her husband on tours of duty around the United States and overseas, to include Germany and India. Notably, in India, the Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, invited Jean to troop the line of the Ghurka Honor Guard following the official visit of General William Westmoreland, U.S. Army Chief of Staff. She also served as official hostess of many Embassy functions hosted by then-Ambassador Kenneth Keating.

Upon return from India she, her husband, and two young daughters settled in Annandale, Virginia, where Jean continued a life of volunteer service, including caring for her aging parents, at her daughters’ schools, and with the U.S. Army Transportation Corps Wives Club. She was also a representative for wildlife photographer Michael L. Smith and wildlife artist Ed Hatch.

She is preceded in death by her husband, COL (Retired) John J. Durant, and is survived by two daughters, Ann Matino of Louisville, Colorado and Terri Hobson of Fairfax, Virginia, four grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. In lieu of flowers and to honor Jean’s life of service to family, community, and country, the family requests that you donate time as a volunteer for the cause of your choice.

After a service at the Old Post Chapel on Thursday, January 24 at 3PM, Jean will be interred next to her life-long love, John, at Arlington National Cemetery. A reception and celebration of her life will follow.

For directions to the Old Post Chapel, you may click on the following link: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Visit/Getting-Here/Directions, or follow the directions below.

Directions to the Memorial Chapel and Old Post Chapel from the Welcome Center

Head northeast on Memorial Avenue from the Welcome Center.

Take an immediate left onto the exit for Route 110 (if you go over an overpass, you have gone too far).

Take a right exit onto Route 27 (Washington Blvd.)

Follow exit signs toward Fort Myer. The sign will say 'Fort Myer Only' on the right. This is the Hatfield Gate.

Once through the Hatfield Gate, follow straight on Carpenter Road. Turn left onto McNair Road. The Memorial Chapel is on the right.

To reach the Old Post Chapel, follow McNair Road until you reach a four-way stop at the corner of McNair and Lee Avenue. Turn right on Lee Avenue. The Old Post Chapel is on the left.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean (Zwicker) Durant, please visit our floral store.