Mary S Duarte peacefully departed from are loving family and friends at her home on March 10, 2019 at the blessed age of 95. She will be deeply missed, but lovingly remembered with heartfelt warmth, joy, laughter, richness and a abundance of love. The memories that we all were blessed to share during her lifetime will forever be treasured. Mary S Duarte was born in the small town of Piru Ca. On August 2nd 1923. However, she lived her early childhood in Mexico with her parents, she would later reside in Barstow California which would eventually become her permanent hone with her grandmother. She attended the local elementary school and would later graduate from Barstow High School in 1943. During her attendance in High School she meet a young gentlemen by the name of Joe M. Duarte. They eventually dated, fell in love and were married on July 13th 1942, and they would remain married for 59 years until his passing.
Mary S. Duarte was a devoted mother and home maker, but was heavily involved in the community that she so loved. She was employed by the United States Government at the Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base in the personnel Department for a number of years before her husband would return from deployment overseas during WWII. She would later devote the majority of her time to raise for four children. Having said that, she was heavily involved in the community as previously stated above. Such organizations included Girl Scouts of America, a Den Mother to Pack 68 of the Cub Scouts (over 20 years), variety of offices in the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary of post 324 in Barstow (which included the chair person for Girl State & Scholarship programs), PTA, The Barstow Aztec Band Boosters, volunteered & later would become the head librarian for Cameron Elementary School. She taught religious studies at Mount St. Joseph Catholic Church to the young youth, as well as her devotion to the Legion of Mary.
During her active involvement with the community Mary received numerous accolades and service awards such as scouting’s highest honor “The Silver Beaver Award”, and being chosen as The Woman of The Year from the City of Barstow
On a more personal note, Mary enjoyed quality time with her family, social time with many dear friends, nature, gardening, cooking & baking. Mary would enjoy a good baseball game with her favorite teams of both the LA Dodgers and the Angels, and various other sporting events.
Mary S. Duarte is preceded in death by loving and devoted husband Joe M. Duarte, and her loving son Richard A. Duarte. She is survived by her three children: Daughter Mary Jean Tvedt of Barstow, her oldest son Joseph R. Duarte of Kansas, Youngest son Christopher P. Duarte of Barstow, and along with her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
May the Lord bless her and forever keep her in the warmth of his eternal embrace, we shall miss
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