Refugia G. Duran

Weslaco- Our beloved mother, matriarch of our family, Refugia G. Duran, 102, was called home by our Heavenly Father on Friday, May 2, 2014. Born in Lomas, Mexico, Mom lived most of her life in Mercedes and Weslaco, having come to Texas as a 14 year old. A devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend of many, Mom will be remembered as the “glue” that held family together since we lost our Dad about fifty years ago.
Mom left us with a lot of good memories. We always looked forward to spending time with her and the whole family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all loved her cooking. She never hesitated to join in family events: camping, graduation ceremonies, weddings, birthday parties and vacation trips.
She loved to travel and as a result, traveled until she was unable to do so.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Santiago B. Duran; her parents, Feliciano and Juanita R. Gonzalez; her oldest son, Joe Garza; daughter-in-law, Lydia B. Garza; and her sons-in-law, Greylan Tuggle and Raul Sauceda.
She is survived by her sons, Jimmy (Angie) Duran of La Feria and David (Irma) Duran of Weslaco; daughters, Paula (+Raul) Sauceda, Lupita (Artemio) Cano, Connie (+Greylan) Tuggle all of Weslaco, Aurora (Larry) Garza of Kingsville and Teresa (Joe) Longoria of Mercedes. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren: Tony (Carlene) Garza, Joyce (Skip) Bowmar, James Garza and Jessica (Paul) Hellar; Veronica (Rudy) Rubio, Jaime (Arcenia) Duran, Venessa (Mike) Sloan and Omar (Valerie) Duran; Patti (Brook) Bradley, Tom (Wendy) Sauceda and Javier (Selina) Sauceda; Melissa (Daniel) Reza, Greg (Elizabeth) Cano and Deborah (Reg) Pegues; Richard (Martha) Garcia and Robert (Alice) Garcia; Jon (Ofie) Garza, Catherine (Sean) Lockard and Larry Garza Jr.; Jennifer (Edward) Leos and Valerie (Chad) Ragsdale.
Her legacy also includes 39 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
The family would like to offer their special thanks and appreciation to her long-time caregivers, Gloria Ornelas, who took care of Mom for more than 18 years and Juanita Gonzales who has been with Mother for the last 6 years. In addition, the family thanks Texas Visiting Nurses Home Health Services and Selah Home Health Hospice Services.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with a rosary at 7:00 pm at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 5, 2014 at 10:00 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Weslaco. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery in Mercedes. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jaime Duran, Tom Sauceda, Greg Cano, Jon Garza, Edward Leos and her son-in-law, Joe Longoria.
Sign the online guestbook at http://www.mccalebfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Refugia-Duran/.
Arrangements are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco.