Maria Licha Luisa (Licha) Mendoza Duran

Maria Luisa (Licha) Duran went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 22, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend and will be missed by many. Licha was born on June 3, 1940 to Petra and Manuel R. Mendoza Sr.

Licha was a very giving person who loved talking to everyone she met and loved making flower arrangements and various crafts to give to others. She spent her life being optimistic and a caring and giving friend to everyone she knew. At an early age, she began working as a seamstress at Farah Manufacturing and then as a baker for various cafeterias in the El Paso Independent School District until her retirement.

She is preceded in death by her father, Manuel, who surely greeted her when she arrived at her new home. She is survived by her husband Edmundo, her mother, Petra, her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Grant Lucas, her grandson, Robert Lucas, her brother Ricardo Mendoza and his children Ricardo Jr., Kathleen and her husband Joey, Mariella, and Dominic Mendoza, and her brother Manuel Mendoza Jr. and his wife Martha and children Mark Mendoza and his wife Gaby, and Michael Mendoza and his wife Sue, numerous cousins, aunts, and a host of friends and neighbors.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 29 at Harding-Orr and McDaniel Funeral Home, 320 Montana Ave. The funeral mass will be Friday, March 30, 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1315 Travis Street with the interment following at Evergreen East Cemetery, 12400 Montana Ave.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Perry Wolfe MD, Dr. P. Valilis MD, and the oncology nursing and administrative staff at Sierra Medical Center for the wonderful care they gave her during this difficult time in her life. We also extend a heartfelt thank you to her special friends, Olga Ponce, Julie and Bob Ledback, Carmen Carrasco, Dolores Chavez, and everyone else who supported Licha in her fight. Your kindness meant more than words can express. Funeral Services entrusted to FDA Harding-Orr & McDaniel 320 Montana Avenue