Helen Duran, age 87, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away October 25, 2025. She was born in Kansas City to Jose and Maria Rodriguez. Helen was a devoted mother to Felix Jr., Gregory “Goyo,” Diana Cleavinger (David) Anna Marie Rios (Ruben) Yolanda Lamas (Vincent) and Caroline. All but one, Goyo, survived her in death. Helen was blessed with 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Helen began her career in the garment district of Kansas City. She was a talented seamstress who could in “the day” make her husband a leisure suit (circa 70’s) to a pair of jeans and jackets and dresses for her girls. Later as the garment district disappeared, she became a seamstress for smaller businesses. Eventually the seamstress work became scarce and as her girls became mothers, she began a career of childcare. Helen devoted her time and love on her grandchildren. As the children grew, she ventured outside her home and worked in childcare at a Mother’s Day Out program at a local church. When she was no longer needed at the Mother’s Day Out program, she did not sit idle. She took on another line of work, she worked as an assistant manager at a local laundromat. Age did not stop her from continuously working and she would have continued except for Covid lockdown and her spouse's illness.
Helen was a faithful servant of God throughout her lifetime. She leaned on her faith throughout her life in good times and through the toughest times such as the loss of her son Goyo and her spouse Felix. In the later years of Helen’s life, she suffered health issues that would have defeated most people her age.
Helen was a woman of great faith and inner strength who would not be defined by a disability. While working to overcome her limitations Helen proved to all just how great her faith, strength, courage, and determination were. She stood up to her challenges and fought hard for her family and her life. Faith, strength, courage are wonderful attributes but her greatest attribute was the love she instilled in her family and those who truly knew her. She created a family who through thick or thin love each other and will always stand by each other because we know what it is to be truly loved and blessed. Her legacy of love and caring will continue as long as we continue to hold her and what she gave us in our hearts.
A visitation will be held at McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel, located at 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas, 66204, on November 5, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. A funeral service will follow at the same location, beginning at 12:00 pm. The graveside service will take place at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 1150 North 38th Street, Kansas City, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the National Kidney Foundation in Helen Duran’s name.
