Hopkinton / Northborough

Mary (McCulley) Durning (81) passed away March 17, 2026, in her bed.

She is survived by two siblings, Nancy Keaton of NC and Steven McCulley of FL, two children, Leah Guzman or Worcester MA and Curt Forbes with his wife Rebecca Forbes of Townsend, MA. She has four grandchildren, Luis Guzman Jr., Nicholas Guzman, Tori Donnelly and her husband Damien Donnelly, and Evan Forbes and his wife Julia Forbes. She has four great grandchildren: Lorelei Frozman, Juniper Guzman, Riley Donnelly, and Levi Forbes.

A fiercely independent woman, Mary was an avid gardener who saw crab grass as a personal insult and grew beautiful flowers for most of her life. She loved animals, particularly cats and always had at least one in her life. While she never saw herself as talented, throughout her life Mary crocheted and embroidered many beautiful table clothes and other items. For many years she passionately scoured yard sales and flea markets collecting depression era glassware. She never stopped loving the rich cobalt blue color found in the glassware she sought out and went on to collect Beanie Babies, many in that rich blue color.

In her 40s Mary found love, solace, and a sense of belonging through Jehovah and her second husband, George Durning, who predeceased her in 1994. She found a community and friends that enriched her life and brought her happiness.

Visitation hours will be held between 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.haysFuneralHome.com.

A memorial celebrating the life of Mary will follow on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 1:00pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 130 North Street, Leominster, MA. Light refreshments will be served.