Fela Duran, 89, passed in her home on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.  A loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Fela was born in the small town of Las Nutrias, New Mexico on April 21, 1933.

Fela is preceded in death by her mother, Cornelia and father, Julian Romero; one daughter; one granddaughter, and 11 brothers and sisters.

She is survived by one son; three daughters; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Fela was raised by her sister, Frances "Kika" and her husband, Manuel Sanchez. As a teenager, Fela worked on her family's farm plowing the fields and tending to the gardens in Las Nutrias. That's where she would eventually meet her husband, Gillie Chavez, who lived a few towns over in San Juan, New Mexico. Together, they had five children, Michael, Yvonne, Carol Angela, Katherine and Susan.

Fela's home, especially her kitchen, was always open to anyone and everyone as she prepared delicious New Mexican dishes. However, her specialty included homemade tortillas that she learned to make from a young age. Fela loved word searches, dancing to rancheras, humming church hymns and having a margarita with her grandchildren. But the craft she took most pride in was her embroidery work, which she gifted to many of her family and friends over the years.

Her presence in our lives is immeasurable and her love will remain forever in our hearts.

Fela's life will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Annunciation on Friday, May 20, 2022 with a rosary beginning at 9:30 a.m. and a memorial mass following. Our Lady of the Annunciation is located at 2621 Vermont St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.