Connie Duarte

Connie Duarte, age 93, passed away April 14, 2011. She was born on June 3, 1918 and grew up in Visalia. Her parents were Ezekiel and Guadalupe Grajeda. Connie was preceded in death by her husband Albert Sr., and her sons Thomas (Tommy) Duarte and Albert Duarte Jr. She is survived by her son David Duarte, daughter Rachel Bowman and husband Ken, daughter Mary Christensen and husband Curtis and her sister Louise Duarte. She leaves behind 9 Grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In 1940, she married Albert Duarte and they lived south of Visalia where he had built her a home and they farmed the land and raised their five children.

Connie was a member of the Nueva Jerusalem Church of Visalia for over 50 years. She was a member of the Visalia Methodist Church where her daughter Mary Christensen attends and a member of Jubilee Christian Fellowship of Tulare where her daughter Rachel Bowman and Husband Pastor.

Connie worked at JJ Newberry’s in downtown Visalia and also at Visalia K-Mart until 1983. She began working part-time for her son, Attorney Albert A. Duarte, as a Spanish Interpreter helping her son’s Spanish Speaking clients through the legal process. She also began to spend more time babysitting her grandchildren and spending time with her children.

Connie was active in various clubs in Visalia, including American Business Women (ABWA) and served as past President, Garden Club, Pink Ladies and Gray Ladies at Kaweah Delta and Tulare District Hospital.

Connie was a staunch supporter of her grandchildren. She loved them all and was always concerned about their activities and accomplishments. She has been a very integral part of her grandchildren’s lives and they all have gained a deep affection for Gramma Connie (NaNa) and her home.

The family would like to make a special thank you to the Tulare Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility Sunflower Meadows section’s CNA’s and Nurses. A special thanks to Paulina Costa, Britnee Odle and Paulo (Paul) Da Silva who graciously received our mother to help and assist us in this transition in admitting her to a nursing home. May God Richly Bless All of You. We Love You.

Visitation: Miller Memorial Chapel on Thursday, April 21, 2011 from 3pm until 7pm.

Funeral services will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 11:00Aam.