Theresa Duran

Theresa Durán, also known as “Teddy” by many of her close family members, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, February 11, 2022, with family members by her side. Theresa was 94 years-old at the time of her passing, led a long and fulfilling life, and was ready to leave this earth. Theresa lived independently until the last few weeks of her life. Her vibrant personality, intelligence, fun-loving ways, sense of humor, good looks, curiosity, tenacity, and toughness will be remembered and missed greatly by her family, friends and loved ones.

Theresa Madrid was born in Pacoima, California, a first generation Mexican-American born to Mexican immigrant parents, Enrique Madrid and Maria Velasquez. She remembers growing up with the support and friendship of her tight-knit group of siblings: Loysa, Joe, Enrique Jr. (Henry), Margaret, Maryann, and Martha. Theresa eventually moved to La Colonia in Oxnard, California, where she met and later married the great love of her life, Samuel “Sammy” Durán, while on a work break at Soto’s grocery store. Theresa and Sammy raised a family of their own in Montalvo, California, with their kids Mike, Tim, Tina, and Paul. Theresa greatly enjoyed traveling, whether that be to Mexico or Hawaii with Sammy, or on various camping trips with the whole family. Theresa was a hard worker and held various jobs, for years as a grocery store checker, and also in frozen foods processing. Everyone who knew her remember her as a gregarious person who enjoyed all kinds of music (from Trio Los Panchos to Neil Young), dancing, great food, great movies, and interesting conversations. She read the New York Times daily, and kept up with local and world news and politics on a regular basis. She wanted to be informed on what was happening in the world. Theresa was a lover of books (fiction and non-fiction) and the printed word. She remembers how much she enjoyed going to the library with her sister Margaret when she was a young girl in Pacoima, bringing home a stack of books to read. Everyone will also remember that Theresa was a fantastic cook and baker, and could master all kinds of dishes, ranging from traditional Mexican food to classic American dishes. Sometime after Sammy passed away in 1992, Theresa moved to Eugene, Oregon, home of her eldest son, Mike, and his wife, Vicki. She lived in Eugene for 10 years before deciding to uproot once more and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her daughter, Tina, lives with her husband, Gabriel; she lived in Albuquerque for 9 years. Eight of those were spent at a retirement community, Las Colinas Village, where she went to exercise class every morning, was popular with the residents, and loved apartment living. At Las Colinas, she would say she loved not having to cook, do dishes, or clean her own home! Theresa loved her walks; at Las Colinas she logged in 2-3 miles a day and was known by fellow residents at “the speed walker,” getting in walks (with her walker) through the halls of the building, and in the parking lot surrounding the building. Just over a year ago, Theresa moved to a spacious apartment in closer proximity to Tina and Gabriel. Theresa was known for her beauty, and her sense of aesthetics, style and fashion. She never left the apartment without her signature lipstick (Persian Melon), penciled eyebrows, and spritz of Christian Dior (Miss Dior). She had a great collection of scarves, pins, artsy jewelry, and shoes and sandals. Theresa was also a thrifty shopper, and was known to find great buys at Walmart, Target and local thrift stores. In short, Theresa was one fun lady, engaged with life, who liked to have a good laugh, who enjoyed meeting and being around people, who made friends easily, and who had a sense of adventure. Her kids and grandkids loved spending time with her, visiting her whenever possible. We can’t forget to mention how quickly and masterfully she learned to use her iPad, for her daily feed of news, entertainment, and Facebook videos on cooking.

Theresa is preceded in death by her husband, Sammy, as well as various brothers and sisters. She is survived by her children, Mike (wife, Vicki), Tim, Tina (husband, Gabriel), and Paul (wife, Gabby); grandchildren, Lisa Marie, Camilo Eliseo, Miles, Lucas, Raquel; great grandchildren Kylie and Jesse; sisters, Martha and Maryann; and various nephews and nieces.

May you rest in peace, Theresa! We love you, we miss you already, and we thank you for the love and devotion you showed your children, grandchildren, and family members! Bye, mom. ¡Que Dios la bendiga and la cuida para siempre!

There are no plans for services at this time.

P.S. A million heartfelt thanks to the people who helped care for our mom before her passing: Kina Durán, and Ambercare hospice staff: Certified Nurse’s Aide, Audrey Begay; Registered Nurse, Olivia Lopez Barlow; and licensed social worker, Nannette Sanchez.