Candace Durran passed away peacefully in Spokane, Washington on July 21, 2021 at the age of 72, although none of her medical providers would believe she was that age due to her spunky nature and beautiful skin (commented on by literally everyone). In her last months Candace surprised everyone in Spokane with her grit, perseverance, and unflagging humor in the face of many complications due to brain surgery. Her Montana friends would tell you that’s just who she was. She was determined to return home to the city she loved so much, Helena, Montana, but after a long, courageous, and determined fight, she danced through the veil between worlds to embark on a new adventure.
Candace grew up in San Francisco in the shadow of Stanford University, playing tennis there with her father (Mike Durran) and her sisters, and ultimately attended cross-town rival UC Berkeley where she majored in Environmental Studies. After college she was drawn to Montana, and never left. She was a true Montanan at heart, devoting herself to its pioneering ways and spirit. She married and raised her two daughters there, and developed many strong and enduring friendships in the Helena community. Her friends would tell you she was enthusiastic, energetic, generous, intelligent, organized, and loyal, with a great (and often irreverent) sense of humor. Her daughters would tell you she was all of those things and also a pain to go to the grocery store with, because she knew everyone and had to chat with each person before leaving. She built a community around her wherever she went.
She was very involved in the larger Helena community over the years as well. Taking after her father Candace was a talented and enthusiastic athlete and she played in local soccer and tennis leagues, and enjoyed golfing, hiking, camping, fishing, and cross-country skiing. She helped pass on her love for these activities to her daughters, who suffered through enjoyed many summers of tennis lessons and were always amazed by the number of plants she could name on hikes (that ability still seems like a superpower). She also loved ushering for theatre productions, attending farmer’s markets, concerts, and fine arts events, and being involved in state politics and environmental causes.
Candace’s studies at UC Berkeley were the start of a long career in land management which culminated at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (where she worked full time up to the age of 71!). She combined her friendly and social nature with a dedication to protecting Montana’s lands and waters in her career, and she was recognized by her colleagues for her hard work, passion, and commitment to the conservation of Montana’s natural resources. Her work at FWP left a lasting legacy that will be enjoyed by generations to come.
Like her family and friends, Candace loved the outdoors, especially the high country. She relished being in special places like Yosemite, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Glacier Park, and the Canadian Rockies. The California coast and Pacific Ocean also held a special place in her heart. We hope as you journey far and wide you carry a piece of her with you in your heart, and are able to feel the boundless joy she felt being in those wild places.
One of Candace’s greatest joys were her grandchildren (and children, of course). She was a devoted and loving mother and Nani, and was always ready to run, play, and be silly on a moment’s notice. She made the best Christmas stockings (a tradition she continued throughout our lives), and made sure no one ever ran out of winter gloves, bubble wands, or glow bracelets. We are left with many silly headbands, feather boas, disguise glasses, and nose flutes for her grandchildren (and us!) to enjoy. We will be telling stories of our wonderful adventures with her for the rest of our lives, and her zest for life will always be with us.
Her daughters, Katie Larimer (Hall) and Whitney Graber (Hall), had the privilege of being present when Candace left us for her next adventure. She left us, as always, changed for the better, and certain of her love for us, her family, her friends, and her community. Candace is survived by her two children: Katie (Dan) and their 3 children, Ethan, Quinn, and Felix; and Whitney (Jarrett), and their 3 boys Carston, Kaiden and Ryker. She is also survived by her sisters Carol, Michele (Dan), and April (Mark), her wingman Gordie Rognrud, and the many incredible friends who made her life so rich.
A celebration of life for Candace will be held at a date TBD, Spring 2022, when the balsamroot is blooming. In lieu of flowers please dance, sing, laugh, go for a hike, sit on your porch and enjoy a sunset, hug your loved ones, or host a dinner party. Do something that fills your soul and brings you joy.
