Maria Nicolasa Duarte

Maria Nicholasa Duarte, 61-years-old, peacefully passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at her home. After her valiant fight with Breast Cancer in 2009, Maria’s battle resumed in September 2022 with her strong will to live, faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through 2 years of grueling Chemotherapy and radiation. Maria was a beacon of unwavering faith, friendship, forgiveness, and kindness, and left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her. Yet even throughout her own struggle with Cancer, she reached out to others affected by the horrendous disease in many ways, even just comforting others sitting nearby receiving their Chemo treatments simultaneously and offering prayers.

Maria was born on October 14, 1964 in Chihuahua, Mexico to Rufina Martinez and Jesus Borunda. She was one of 13 Children – Jesus, Carmelo, Mercedes, Rosalia, Oscar, Mario, Eduardo, Guadalupe, Jorge, Leticia, Antonio and Patricia. Maria was a dreamer and envisioned living her truth through hard work, dedication and faith. She took the chance of change and came to America at a young age to be the change she wanted to see.

Maria was known for her delicious tortillas, contagious positivity, meticulous cleaning, babysitting services, unwavering faith in God, infectious loving embrace, and charismatic outgoing personality – she had such ease with frequent conversation with even total strangers. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing love, forgiveness, and faith. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter, and joking around, will never be forgotten.

Maria was a loving mother, a loyal and devoted wife, always putting others before herself. She instilled her Mexican traditions, values and morals throughout the upbringing of her kids. She was the biggest and loudest cheerleader for her kids and grandkids in all activities/sports they did. Maria valued hard work, honesty, and the value of your word. To her children, she was loving and selfless. She made sure to instill her values on them as well as the importance of their education. Her most famous phrases while embracing her loved ones while giving loud kisses and big rocking hugs with phrases like “Perritos, Pedacito de Carne, You Can Do It!, Vamos a Victoria a Victoria” and much more. Maria also enjoyed family time with big get togethers and enjoyed playing with the kids, allowing her inner child to shine through and connect.

Married for 38 years, Maria & Ron raised their 4 dear children: Ronnie, Leroy, Lupita, and Michael. Possessing a true servant’s heart, Maria faithfully cared for family and friends through meaningful guidance, warm encouraging words, tentative care, and delicious cooking – including her homemade tortillas, strong prayers, sewing and crafting. A woman of faith and the heart of our Duarte family, Maria shaped their spirituality by her tireless Catholic example, and also through various Catholic Charismatic prayer groups and activities. With a real zest for life, Mrs. Duarte loved to dance, write long loving messages in all cards, read the bible, garden, pray, make blankets, play games & with toys – especially with her nieces, nephews and grandchildren, enjoy long phone conversations with friends and family, and visiting her hometown in Mexico…just to name a few.

Her surviving family members are numerous, but mainly include:

Husband of 38 years: Ron Duarte

Mother of 4 Children & Partners: Ronnie & Hailey Duarte, Leroy Duarte, Lupita & Viviano Gallegos, and Michael Duarte.

Grandmother to 3: Lucila Duarte, Nico Duarte, and Jeramiah Utter

Immediate family/In-Laws: Jesus/Guadalupe, Carmelo/Silvia, Mercedes, Rosalia/Eliazar, Oscar/Maxine, Mario/Margarita, Eduardo/Celia, Guadalupe/Manolo, Jorge/Margarita, Leticia, Antonio, and Patricia

Other family members: Unfortunately too many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and God-children to list or even count.

Visitation information for family and friends of Maria Duarte: There will be a Viewing on December 19th at Trujillo’s Funeral Home at 110 Alvarado Dr SE from 5pm-7pm. The Memorial Service will be on December 20th with a Rosary at St. Anne’s Catholic Church at 1400 Arenal Rd SW at 8:15am. The Mass will immediately follow starting at 9am and the burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park at 924 Menaul Blvd NE.

The family invites you to attend a Celebration of Life, the reception for the family and friends will be held at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church Parish Hall at 3424 4th ST NW beginning at 2pm- 5pm.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt forms from too many people to name individually, but including: Presbyterian Cancer Care, Presbyterian Rust Team, Fiesta Park Rehabilitation Team, family and friends – either through prayer and/or visits, neighbors, and even random acts of kindness through total strangers. A special thank you to the friends and family that consistently showed up for Maria, whether it was bringing her food, flowers, prayers, words of encouragement, a heartfelt visit and positive reinforcement. We the family also want to express our gratitude and appreciation for the warm condolences and reassurance to the family that they are not alone during this painful time.