Louise Ann (Lou Ann) Durden (6/1/1940 – 4/27/2026)

Lou Ann Durden, 85, a resident of Phoenix, AZ for over fifty years died Monday, April 27, 2026. Lou Ann was preceded in death by her parents Henry A. Polic Sr. and Philomena (Mamie) Pugliese, and a brother Henry A. Polic II. Lou Ann married James H. Durden in February 1962, and they were married for sixty-four years.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a special part of Lou Ann’s upbringing. She was surrounded by her loving family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. With many Italian influences, she loved gathering and sharing meals with others. Late in her teens, her family moved to Florida, and it was there that she met Jim, her husband-to-be. Following the birth of three children, a new job offer for Jim led them to Arizona. It was there that her roots began to spread in many new ways.

Lou Ann’s passion for singing, song writing, and playing the piano never wavered. Music was her happy place. She kept the piano from her childhood and that was where she endlessly explored numerous genres of music from classical to Christian to current bands like Coldplay.

In 1972, Lou Ann was diagnosed with leukemia and was given weeks to live. Her only wish was to live to see her grandchildren grow up. After her miraculous recovery from leukemia, she sang with the Arizona Masterworks Chorale. As the years went on, her talent led her to sing with church choirs, with the children at the pre-schools she directed, and beyond. Her creativity and playfulness were infectious, and she even regularly dressed up to read to the children as Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, a character from a children’s book series who lived in an upside-down house and smelled like freshly baked sugar cookies.

There was something incredibly special about Lou Ann. She emanated a bright, loving light that was felt by anyone in her presence. Despite her battle with several serious illnesses over her lifetime, she unconditionally showed up for her family, her friends, her church, her work as a preschool director, and loved endlessly on her grandchildren. She even cared for each grandchild full-time for the first two years of their life – all four of them. Her relationship with each of them stayed incredibly strong for decades and they had an incredibly special bond that simply helped each of them thrive.

Lou Ann’s faith in God and will to live was incredibly strong. She was so determined to experience life to the fullest and fill it with all the people she loved, especially her children and grandchildren. No matter what challenge came her way, she quietly rose to the occasion and overcame it. Her kind and encouraging spirit showed up in almost every conversation and interaction she had with anyone in her presence.

Survivors include her husband James H. Durden of Phoenix, AZ; son Michael J. Durden of Chandler, AZ; daughters Michelle L. Thompson (Milton) of Vancouver, WA, and Marcie L. Bentley (Charley) of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren Kate M. Jones (Jason) of Phoenix, AZ, Dakota R. Bentley of Surprise, AZ, Milton J. (Max) Thompson IV of Bend, OR, and Charley J. Bentley III of Phoenix, AZ.

A service to honor Lou Ann and celebrate her life will be led by Pastor Chris Harper at the Scottsdale Worship Center on Tuesday, May 5th at 1pm where loved ones will gather in remembrance. Live streaming will be available for those that are unable to attend in person. 

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