Emelia Duran touched our lives and hearts with such joy and vibrance. On May 9th, 2012, our joy turned to sorrow and our hearts became broken, as Emelia passed away from her earthly home, to enter into God's eternal kingdom.
Emelia was born on September. 25th, 1932, in Ojo Feliz, New Mexico, to Juan Antonio and Maria Edonilia Cruz. She was the third of six siblings. On September 9th, 1950, she became the bride of Noe Duran, her loving husband of sixty-one years.
Emelia worked as a nurse's aide for many years. She had great compassion for her patients and always encouraging words. She was a homemaker, who always put her family first. She made the best green chile, chicken pot pie and rice pudding in all the valley! She always welcomed everyone into her home, where she always had a warm meal and bed for her guests. Emelia was a foster mother, who wanted to make a difference in someone's life. She was always willing to lend a helping hand and offer guidance in any way she could. She was an activist for her community that she loved so much. She worked diligently to get a fire station to serve the Chacon area. Most of all, Emelia was ours. She was a beautiful wife, a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was ours, to sit around the table and share stories with for hours. She was ours, to laugh with and tell jokes with. She was ours, when we needed some comforting words and understanding. She will always be ours, to love for all of our lives, as she loved us, for all of hers. Like the humming birds, that she loved and watched for hours, she is now set free and beautiful, fly, Emeila, fly.
Emelia was proceeded in death by her parents Juan Antonio and Edenolia Cruz; infant children, Lucy and Johnny Duran; sister, Videlia Valdez; Jesse Garcia, brother-in-law and Vangie Cruz, sister-in-law.
Emelia is survived by her husband, Noe Duran, of the family home in Chacon, N.M. One daughter, who she loved dearly, Lucille Trujillo deDuran and husband Harold, of Santa Fe, N.M. A very special grandson, who she helped raise and loved as her own, Martin Duran and wife Christine, of Las Vegas, N.M. Two very special loves of her life, grandsons, Derrick Duran and James Duran and girlfriend Clarissa Garcia, of Las Vegas, N.M. Step-grandchildren, that she welcomed into her family with open arms, LouAnna Marquez and fiancé Tim Sena, George Marquez and fiancé Rachel Herring, all of Rio Rancho, N.M. Jordan Marquez and wife Megan of Albuquerque, N.M., and Jaryd Marquez and wife Agatha, of Los Alamos, N.M. Also surviving Emelia, sister, Rosanna Garcia of Pinole, Ca.; brothers, Leo Cruz of Hanna, Wy.; Johnny Cruz and wife Cecilia of Windsor, Co.; Jose T. Cruz and wife Levinia of Rodeo, Ca.; and Manuel Cruz and wife Margaret of Westminster Co. Brothers-in-law, Emilio Valdez of Ojo Feliz, N.M., and Richard Duran and wife Mary of Albuquerque, N.M.
Emelia had eight very special, great-great grandchildren, who always made her smile and laugh. She always looked forward to their visits. Marcus Sena, Ethan, Alex and Nolan Marquez, Kailey, Lily and Taryn Marquez, and Aunika Marquez.
Public viewing for Emelia will be held all day on Monday, May 14, 2012.Rosary devotional services will be held on Monday, May 14, 2012, at 7:00 pm at St. Gertrudes Church in Mora, NM. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at 2:00 pm at St. Gertrudes Church with Father James Sanchez as celebrant. Honored to serve as pall bearers are: Derrick and James Duran, George, Jordan and Jaryd Marquez, Tim Sena and nephews, Gabe Cruz and Gilbert Valdez. Honorary pall bearers are her great-great children. Burial will follow services at the San Antonio Cemetery in Chacon, NM. Please visit our website: www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign our online register book. Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Mortuary in Las Vegas, NM, 1-800-479-3511 or 505-425-3511.