Janet Lee (Hacker) Durrill, 80, peacefully transitioned from this world on November 12, 2023 at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, MO.She was born on March 27, 1943 in Mt. Clemens, MI to Chauncey Russel, Sr., and Barbara Ann (Mummert) Hacker. After WWII, her father moved the family to Toledo, OH where he attended Toledo University, earning an Engineering degree. In 1950, they moved to Fremont, OH, and after he obtained a job with the federal government building missile silos, they moved to Oregon. This is where she spent the majority of her childhood. In November 1960, her father was transferred to Quanah, TX. Janet was a senior in high school, and wasn’t happy with these developments, wanting to graduate with her friends in Oregon, but she carried through with her tenacity and determined nature.After some time at Toledo University, Janet moved back home to start classes at Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, MO. Her family lived in Green Ridge, MO, and it was here that she met her husband, Terrence Durrill. He recalls seeing her for the first time standing in Rev. Likely’s kitchen with her mother, and later, bringing him a glass of iced tea. She had no idea that she'd already captured the attention of the tall, skinny college student. Janet and Terrence were married on August 30, 1963 by Rev. Likely in the Green Ridge Presbyterian Church. Janet was now a Navy wife and her husband was off to Norfolk, VA. Despite Terrence’s direction to stay in Missouri with her parents, she refused. With her poodle Angel, she took the train to Norfolk, rented an apartment, and created a home for her new husband.
When Terrence left the Navy and joined the Naval Reserves, the young couple moved to Drexel, MO for his first teaching job. It was here that their first two children, Kathy and Chris, were born. In 1968 Terrence got a teaching job in Platte City, MO, so Janet found their rental home and set up their household all while caring for an infant and a two-year-old. And when Janet’s dad passed away in 1970, she used her inheritance for the downpayment on a house. True to her determined nature, she gathered information on obtaining an FHA loan, and spearheaded finding the house in which they welcomed their third child Kerry, raised their family, and enjoyed retirement.Janet worked in accounting and retired from Husch Blackwell in Kansas City, MO to focus on her embroidery digitizing business. Her multitude of crafting talents was amazing. She was a painter, knitter, and crocheter, and she did embroidery (both machine and hand), macrame and quilling. But she was best known as an amazing seamstress, who made many play costumes, quilts, dresses, even wedding veils for her daughters. For a number of years during the Christmas season, she dressed as Mrs. Claus in an outfit of her creation, taking toys to the kids at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO and visiting seniors at residential care facilities in the area. She loved her years at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, making many friends and fans. A number of performers even have costume pieces she created for them.In 2006, Janet fought and won a battle with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and in 2021 she ensured her brother suffering from Alzheimer’s moved closer to family members that would care for him. She used her resources and endured criticism to do what was right. When she had her stroke a year later, her strength and determination were again in full view as she worked hard to learn to walk and speak. In the end, her body just wasn’t as strong as her nature. She passed due to congestive heart failure.Janet was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Dustin Hacker Payge. She leaves her husband Terrence Durrill of the home; her children, Katherine (Lance) Foster of Platte City, MO, Chris (Theresa) Durrill of Edgerton, KS and Kerry Durrill of Kansas City, MO; her grandchildren, Katherine Foster of Davenport, FL and Rachel Foster of North Kansas City, MO; her sister Jo Ann Webb of Madison, TN; her brother Chauncey Hacker, Jr. of Kansas City, MO; her brother Mark (Gayle) Hacker of Littleton, CO; nieces, nephews, cousins and other loved family members.A private graveside service for the family and close friends will be scheduled at a later date.
