# Jacquelyn Durrell

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**Jacquelyn Carmen Durrell** (died February 2, 2009) was an American politician who served in the [Connecticut House of Representatives](/source/Connecticut_House_of_Representatives) from 1977 to 1979, representing the [134th district](/source/Connecticut's_134th_House_of_Representatives_district) as a [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)).

## Career

Durrell was born Jacquelyn Carmen Dow in [Sioux City](/source/Sioux_City), Iowa, and grew up in [Minneapolis](/source/Minneapolis), Minnesota, where she would later attend the [University of Minnesota](/source/University_of_Minnesota). In 1949, she married [Dick Durrell](/source/Dick_Durrell), who would later become the founding publisher of *[People](/source/People_(magazine))*, and in 1959, they moved to [Fairfield, Connecticut](/source/Fairfield,_Connecticut).[1][2]

Durrell was elected to the [Connecticut House of Representatives](/source/Connecticut_House_of_Representatives) in 1976 and served one term representing the [134th district](/source/Connecticut's_134th_House_of_Representatives_district) as a Republican. She ran for a second term in 1978, but was defeated by [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) candidate Christine Niedermeier.[3]

Following her service in the House of Representatives, Durrell remained active in local politics. In 1981, she became the first woman elected to the Fairfield Board of Selectmen. She became first selectman in 1983 and served for five terms.[1][4] She left the position in 1993, commenting "I feel I can step down now because I have accomplished everything I set out to do when I took office".[5]

Durrell died on February 2, 2009, in Fairfield. She was 81.[1]

## References

1. ["Jacquelyn Durrell Obituary"](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ctpost/name/jacquelyn-durrell-obituary?id=23170930). *[Connecticut Post](/source/Connecticut_Post)*. [Legacy.com](/source/Legacy.com). February 4, 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260429003600/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ctpost/name/jacquelyn-durrell-obituary?id=23170930) April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.

1. Creswell, Julie (March 8, 2008). ["Richard J. Durrell, First Publisher of People Magazine, Dies at 82"](https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/08/business/media/08durrell.html). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231209200954/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/08/business/media/08durrell.html) December 9, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.

1. ["Jacquelyn C. Durrell (R)"](https://electionhistory.ct.gov/eng/candidates/view/Jacquelyn-C-Durrell). Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State. Retrieved April 28, 2026.

1. Hamilton, Robert A. (July 16, 1989). ["Connecticut Q & A: Jacquelyn C. Durrell; 'You Have to Broaden Yourself'"](https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/16/nyregion/connecticut-q-a-jacquelyn-c-durrell-you-have-to-broaden-yourself.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved April 28, 2026.

1. Weizel, Richard (March 28, 1993). ["After 10 Years, Fairfield's Chief Steps Down"](https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/28/nyregion/after-10-years-fairfields-chief-steps-down.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved April 28, 2026.

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