Delia M. Garduño

In the early morning hours of Thursday, May 2, 2019, the sun came out from behind the clouds to kiss Delia Marie Garduno goodbye.

Delia was 93 years young. Delia was surrounded by her family during the hours of her passing.

Delia was a long time resident of Pueblo, Colorado, before moving the family to Arizona in 1975.

Delia was born in Cimarron, New Mexico on June 20, 1925. Her parents, Lucy De La Luz and Benceslao Varos (Barros) moved the family to Trinidad, Colorado.

Delia married Emilio Jose Garduno on April 6, 1946. Delia & Emilio’s unbreakable bond was an endearing love story, lasting over 74 years of marriage, indeed a milestone. Delia and Emilio truly lived and breathed a love of life. They took exceptional joy knowing that their love of dance and music was the soundtrack to their good times and the medicine for the hard times.

Delia is survived by her husband, Emilio J. Garduno. Her children, Emilio Jr. (deceased son) Margaret Duchard, Anthony C. Garduno, Susan Terrones, Debbie Garduno, Matthew Garduno (deceased son), Randolph Trujillo and Johnny Garduno.

Delia and Emilio have 9 Grandchildren, Janelle Gonzales, Shawn Garduno, Frankie Garduno, Katrina Trujillo, Christopher Trujillo, Joshua Trujillo, Tiffany Terrones, Tara Terrones and Andra Dohrn. Plus 15 Great Grandchildren Tori, Vanessa, Matthew, Adrian, Sam, Anthony, Thor, Alyssa, Ethan, Giovanni, Isabella, Ethan, Maximus, Abriella and Sophia. 2 Great, Great Grandchildren, Emilio and Leonardo.

Delia was the last of the original Varos(Barros) family having lost her mother, father, brothers - Richard, Tom, Morris, Fred, Felix, Lilo and Charlie Varos(Barros) along with one sister, Susie Vigil.

Everything in and about Delia’s existence ran off the fuel of her heart where family and faith were the cornerstone of Delia’s life. Delia loved her family with the passion and devotion that encompassed her life. Family always came first. She taught her children to love themselves and each other; to stand up for themselves and not to behave or act as if you were more or less than others. She was compassionate to all. She always said: “help others who are less fortunate then ourselves.” Delia and Emilio were Foster Parents to many children in Pueblo, Colorado. She offered love and received love from all that were blessed to know and love her. The gift Delia gave to all of us is that we always felt very loved and welcomed. We are eternally fortunate to have had Delia, in our lives for as long as we did. Thank you, Mother, for accompanying us in our life’s journey. You will be loved by all of us forever and ever to the ends of the universe and back.

Delia has led us to a deeper appreciation of the precious time we all shared. Let’s celebrate the miracle of Delia’s existence in our lives.

Delia’s passing is an inconsolable loss to the family and you want to weep, but you also want to cry out with laughter sometimes because that all you can do. Before Delia’s illness, it rarely occurred to us that one day we would not share a future with her in our lives. So when she chose not to continue with dialysis we knew that time would soon alter all of us.

Nevertheless, as a family we were astonished by Delia’s complete lack of self-pity. Her strength of spirit to beat the odds was insurmountable. When family and friends came to visit, Delia always inquired about how they were doing and if they were hungry.

Watching this strong, vibrant, kind, gentle, graceful, beautiful woman struggle was heart breaking. There were some heavy moments and we often wondered how could she be so accepting and understanding? And yet, we could not deny that sitting there in her presence was magically serene like a calm breeze that soothed our souls.

Delia’s smile radiated in the hearts of many people. She gave so much too so many that we will cherish her hope, actions and humility for the rest of our lives and beyond. Let’s all honor Delia by being kind, gentle, just and loving to all mankind for she had a heart as big as the universe and Delia’s spirit will live on through eternity by all of us following Delia’s example and practicing her love of family! Heaven is now blessed with an angel, who makes the best tortillas in the world.

The one thing that comes to mind is a poem by someone in love hundreds of years ago and reminds all of us of Delia’s unconditional love for life and her family.

“Unable to perceive your beautiful smile, we will find you all around us. Your presence fills our eyes with your love, it humbles our hearts, for you are now everywhere.” Author Unknown.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2019 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. followed by funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at West Resthaven Funeral Home, 6450 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85301. She will be laid to rest at Resthaven Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please send Donations to:

American Kidney Fund

C/O Delia M. Garduno

11921 Rockville Pike,

Suite 300

Rockville, MD 20852