Carmen G. Duran

Carmen Guerra Duran
July 1, 1919 - November 27, 2021

Carmen was the eldest daughter born to Juan and Flora (Apodaca) Guerra. Of her siblings, Mike, John, Carolina/Kero, Sophie, Cecilia, and Bobby, Sophie is still with us. Carmen was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Duran, Jr. in 2017. Mike and Carmen had three children, Mike Robert Duran (Mikie), Gilbert Duran, and Gerri Ann Duran. Carmen is survived by children, Gilbert Duran and Gerri Ann Duran (Scot); grandchildren, Scotty McClelland, Carmen McClelland, and Magdalena McClelland Scheib (Jacob); and Carmen's great-grandson, Teddy, will always know his greatgrandma adored him.

Always the consummate hard worker, Carmen and her siblings helped her mother with various tasks on the farm and had a challenging life as they struggled through the Great Depression. Growing up in Mesilla and Las Cruces, Carmen was surrounded by an extended family and was always willing to share a story about growing up in Doña Ana County.

Mike and Carmen's first child, Mikie, born with Down Syndrome, was one-year old when he was diagnosed. At his diagnostic visit, Carmen was shown photos of children with DS in institutions and were told of their dire outcomes and was counseled to place Mikie in such a place. Mike and Carmen refused this placement, and this began their journey as fierce advocates for Mikie, refusing to have low expectations for him and raising him as they did their other children. As there were no public schools or therapists available to them, Carmen found Mrs. Young, a private tutor who began Mikie's formal education. In addition to his schooling, Carmen, and Mike's inclusion of Mikie into all aspects of the community and family events resulted in Mikie growing into a funny, respectful, and loving human being.

In her later years Carmen enjoyed visiting local breweries, mainly in the Albuquerque area, with her beloved granddaughter and namesake, Carmen. Her the Instagram account, @hoppygrandma and her 1,000+ followers reflected how loved and supported Carmen was in the brewery community.

We wish to thank her loving and supportive caregivers, Ann Tomashefski, Daniella Regalado, Alicia Cherino, Janell Callahan, Desiree Gallegos, Vanessa Montoya, Callie Ward, Iyesha Brooks, and Crystal Vigil. We also wish to thank Hospice of New Mexico for their care.

A Rosary will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Community, 5415 Fortuna Rd NW. Reception to follow. Masks are optional.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to https://inspire.globaldownsyndrome.org in honor of Mikie Duran.

Another option to consider in lieu of flowers for Carmen is a contribution to the Hoppy Grandma Scholarship Fund. Mom's weekly visits to microbreweries with her granddaughter, Carmen, brought her such enjoyment. The thousands who enjoyed the exploits of the grandma/granddaughter Carmens on the hoppygrandma instagram were such a support, especially when they would send birthdays cards to mom.
The brewing community was such a gift to mom that we would like to give back to them in the form of a scholarship for brewers.

Please visit hoppygrandma.org for details.