Mary Duran

Guests: If you send flowers for delivery one or two days prior to the funeral service, please send directly to Olinger Highland Mortuary, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, CO 80229; if sending for delivery on May 6, the day of the service, please have them delivered directly to the church, Healing Waters Ministries, 6475 W 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80214 between 9-10am. Thank you.

On Sunday, April 28, 2019, Mary L. Duran (92) received her crown of glory. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was born June 7, 1926, in Chama, New Mexico. Mary attended McCurdy High School where she met and fell in love with her future husband, (Jose) Nester Duran.

Mary and Nester Duran had two children: Frank Duran and Dema Duran (Herrera). Their small family grew to include Frank’s wife, Yolanda Suarez, and Dema’s husband, Israel Herrera. Frank and Yolanda’s children are: Desiree Morrow (Dominic), Derek Duran, and Darin Duran.

Dema and Israel’s children are: Marisa Calzadillas (Luis), Stephen Herrera (Savannah), and soon Mary’s first great-grandchild due in late May.

Mary had the gift of encouragement, prayer, and a devout love for the Lord. She also loved to share God’s blessings through her hospitality and great cooking! Some of her favorite occasions included having her grandchildren over for the best “New Mexican” enchiladas. She stacked them high with chili, cheese, more chili, and a fried egg on top! Her family and friends had many great times around “Grams’ Kitchen Table,” and that is where and how she shared her faith, and where there was a great abundance of laughter, stories, and prayers. She also especially enjoyed holidays, birthdays, and going out to restaurants; she always relished an opportunity to spend quality time with others.

Mary had six siblings and five half-siblings who are presently rejoicing with her in Heaven. She has many nieces and nephews whom she loved with all her heart. They brought great joy to her in her later years, with their visits, phone calls, and cards. She touched their lives in many ways and each one has a story to tell about “Tia Mary.”

Mary was full of life and brought much happiness to many. She would take joy in your happiness and cry with you in your sorrow, and always took the extra time to encourage and uplift anyone she was near. Most of all, it was her faith and love for her Savior that touched many lives, including that of the nurse staff that took care of her in the last months.

Her joyous smile and kind words will be cherished by many. She will always be missed, faithfully remembered, and forever cherished.