Maria Louisa Duran

Maria Louisa Duran was born in Tin Town, AZ on June 21, 1940. She was the beloved daughter of
Manuel and Guadalupe Fimbres. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings and husband of
59 years, Braulio H. Duran.
Maria Louisa, better known as Marylou, was the oldest of 9 children. Her family moved to Tucson,
AZ when Mom was around 9-10 years old because our grandfather, who was a miner, was
searching for work. Their beginnings were humble. They lived in a tent and trailer until our
grandfather was able to build their home on their property.
Since she did not graduate from high school, our mom was bound and determined that her children
were going to complete high school. She made sure that we went to school every day. You had to
really be sick for her to allow you to stay home.
Mom never foresaw that we would go to college because it was a concept that was foreign to her.
But when we made that decision, she quickly got on board and supported us. As her 5 children and
grandchildren attended and completed college, Mom realized that education was the key that
opened up many doors of opportunity and would encourage others to pursue it.
Despite our accomplishments, Mom was not impressed by titles or status. What was important to
her was that we were kind, respectful, obedient and self-sufficient. She would be the first to bring
you down to earth if you thought that you were “all that and a bag of chips” and could put you in
check with just a look. Mom was relentless with us. If she saw that you were straying from the path,
she was on you like a tick on a dog. She would tell you to get up and keep going. I can still hear
her words “You got this.”
Our mother was humble, generous, self-sacrificing, forgiving, thoughtful, kind, and respectful.
She would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it and always put other people’s needs
before hers. Mom always rooted for the underdog and saw the good in all people.
Our mom, like our dad, worked very hard to guarantee we had what we needed. We never went
without because no form of work was beneath her to ensure that our family had everything. Mom
always showed up to work and gave 100%. Her last position was at Doolen Middle School where
as cashier, she made sure that every child had a meal even if it meant she paid for it out of her own
pocket.
Our mom was also a good daughter. She was a companion and caregiver to her mother.
She would often help extended family members with homework or completing paperwork. Mom
often opened up our home to relatives who needed a place to stay. Mom’s love and generosity had
no bounds.
She loved going out to eat, the casino, and going to concerts, especially to hear mariachis and Juan
Gabriel.
Our mom was all about her family. She attended every event we participated in, every graduation,
and family gathering. Birthdays were important to our parents and they always made sure that we had
a birthday celebration. Our mom loved the Benjamins and would happily pass them out on these
special occasions.
We, or at least I, did not really know and see the woman I called Mom until after Dad passed away
5 years ago. I got to see a side of our mom I had never seen before. Mom was one of the most
innocent people I knew. I heard her laugh more often. She was funny, feisty and had a biting wit.
She was so honest; you better be sure that you wanted to hear the truth because that was what you
were going to get from her. Of course, it was often prefaced with “la gente dice….”
After Dad passed, she wanted to continue to live in her home, so our youngest sister moved in to
keep her company and help care for her.
In the last 9 months, our mother lived by the grace of God. Her health started to deteriorate due to
complications of diabetes and she required that someone be present at all times. My siblings
continued to step in to help. Although being a caregiver was difficult and frustrating at times, to
care for the one person, our mom, who had cared for us and loved us with all of her heart was for
me and my siblings one of life’s highest honors. Her and our prayers were always that Mom die
fearlessly, peacefully and pain free in the comfort of her home, which she did on Good Friday
(April 7, 2023).
Life has a funny way of teaching us. It will create deep sadness so we know how to truly
understand happiness and it will take those we love away from us so that we will truly understand
what their presence meant to us.
Mom was our first love. She was everything to us. Maria Louisa had many roles in her life, but she
was foremost and always a mother. She laid down the foundation of our lives which taught us
morals, values, work ethic and self-respect. She went through many hardships and persevered so
we could enjoy the life we now have.
Our mom knew that the most beautiful things in life were not worldly possessions or status but
people, family, and being together to share and create memories.
Mom was grateful for what she had and was so giving.
Marylou was a precious human being, a blessing to us. She will always be remembered and loved
beyond words. Mom, we thank you for all you have been to us. We are so proud to have you as our
mom. It broke our hearts to lose you and part of us went with you the day God took you home.
Mom aunque pase un millón de años nunca te vamos a olvidar. Tú eres nuestro corazón y tesoro.
Your footprints are engraved on our hearts and souls forever. Nunca vamos a olvidar tú sonrisa, tú
risa, tú mirada y tú forma de ser. They are engraved in our memories forever.
We release you to God and know that your journey ahead will be sweet and glorious. We see you
being welcomed into heaven and embraced by God, Jesus, family, and friends who have gone
before you. They are there with open arms saying por fin has llegado hija nuestra, por fin.
Dear God please take your servant, Maria Louisa into your holy kingdom. We thank you for having
blessed our lives with this precious and phenomenal woman. We are eternally grateful for having
had Marylou in our lives.
We do not say adiós, but hasta luego, Mom, until we meet again.
We are forever your children: Judy, Alex, Veronica, Lupe, and Marylou Duran.