4 minute read
The Durkee Family: Proud and Grateful Newtown Square Family
by Craig Whitney
The Durkee Family: Proud and Grateful Newtown Square Family
Caroline and Steve Durkee may have grown up in entirely different places, but both have found that the Newtown Square community has been the opportunity they were always destined for. The close neighborhoods, beautiful wooded scenery, and the tight-knit church community have all been important parts of their life the past 20 years in Newtown Square.
Steve & Caroline Durkee of Newtown Square, PA
Photo by: Dan Hall, Prestige Photography
Caroline and Steve first met at a wedding, surrounded by mutual friends at a venue in New Jersey. Though the two would end up meeting later that night, the origin was actually years in the making.
Steve grew up in Illinois, then went to the University of Central Florida to get a degree in finance. After working several jobs out of school, Steve decided he wanted to try to explore the priesthood at a seminary in Philadelphia. After deciding the priesthood was not his path, he was able to move in with his brother, who had recently moved to King of Prussia. He began teaching theology at St. John Newman’s in Philadelphia at this time, and though the priesthood wasn’t his path, the time at the seminary would end up being instrumental in the new path he was already headed down.
Caroline grew up in Buffalo, New York. She recalled the brutal winters and the snow-packed roads, but did not spend her whole childhood there. Her father was transferred in his job to West Chester, and that is where Caroline would spend many of her formative years. After graduating high school, she attended West Chester University and worked as an accountant for a pharmaceutical firm. She spent years working in West Chester, until receiving an invitation to the wedding between two of her close friends. The groom, as fate would have it, had also spent time at the seminary before deciding he did not want to be a priest.
Caroline was invited as friends of both the groom and bride, and Steve was invited after forming a close friendship with the groom while they both attended the same seminary together. As a coincidence, or strategic maneuver according to Caroline, all of the single people were placed in one table at the wedding. Caroline and Steve connected immediately and the singles table would end up being a very successful strategy for at least one pair of singles at the table.
Life finds a way of picking up speed once a path is chosen, and that is exactly what happened for Steve and Caroline. Caroline continued working as an accountant, and Steve began working for himself as a power washer.
“I love that he gets to work for himself,” Caroline said with a smile in her voice. “It has kept food on the table for the past 20 years so no complaints here.”
In addition to working for himself, Steve is also a published author and an active member of multiple groups at St. Anastasia parish. He was a CCD teacher and has lead groups around the church at various times.
Dave was born at the end of their first year of marriage and has always been the laid-back element of the family. He is currently 23, a senior at Temple University. He works at Temple Hospital, and is excited to start a career after graduation in the field of management information systems (MIS).
David, Hannah and Daniel Dukee
Photo Courtesy of Dan Hall, Prestige Photography
Daniel was born two years later, and has always been incredibly motivated. From a young age, he has had a self-starter mentality and an impressive work ethic. He is currently 21, at the stage in his life where he is making the first step in his career and wants to make a wise and well-considered decision.
“He lives the life of an entrepreneur,” Caroline explained in admiration. “He is not afraid to take the time and effort needed to find what he loves in life and make a business out of it.”
Hannah is currently 19, a freshman in college, and followed
in her mother’s footsteps at West Chester University. She has always been a hard worker in school, very accomplished and recognized for her accomplishments. She achieved top scores in math freshman year of high school, winning an additional scholarship at the private school she was attending.
Caroline was happy to elaborate pridefully on all of Hannah’s acomplishments. Finishing 23rd of 291 students at Archbishop John Caroll High School, Hannah was awarded induction into the National Honors Society and National Arts Honors Society.
The Durkees have spent the past 20 years in Newtown Square, living in a community known as The Avenues of Newtown Square. The community has fit their style over the years: quiet, peaceful, close, and committed to helping each other. On a snowy day, the neighbors will come over and shovel your driveway if you’re away. There is a Christmas exchange between all of the neighbors that everyone is incredibly fond of.
It can be entertaining and heartwarming to look back at all of the steps in a lifetime, all of the choices a person makes and all of the plans they make for themselves and their future. Some come true, others don’t, and others still are replaced with something better than could be imagined. Caroline and Steve have come from entirely different parts of the country, had careers and big plans that have changed along the way. Looking around at the life her family has now, Caroline is clearly incredibly grateful.
“It’s a blessing from God that we live here,” Caroline proudly doted. “We weren’t looking for a place in this town, but I am so thankful my kids got the opportunity to go to St. Anastasia School, the school community and the neighborhood community have been such a wonderful experience.”
With snow falling outside of the window, neighbors coming to the door with gifts to exchange, and a happy family all contained in one beautiful home, it can be surprising how perfectly the different pieces of a life can fall into place.
After 20 years in Newtown Square, the Durkees are very happy and thankful to live in Newtown Square and look forward to the many years ahead.
