MaryAnn Duerksen, age 80, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, surrounded by a few of her loved ones.  She was born on May 12, 1943 in Santa Fe, New Mexico to Electa and John C McConvery.  She celebrated sixty-three years of marriage to David W. Duerksen; together they had 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

MaryAnn was the best storyteller and could make anyone laugh. Her joy for life was infectious and came across in every story and joke she shared. She loved a good game and would send you down the tubes (beat you) with a beautiful smile and boisterous laugh.  She enjoyed rewatching Downton Abbey and As Good As It Gets, and watching the Bold and the Beautiful was a ritual.

She faithfully followed David around the world in his military career.  MaryAnn retired from The University of New Mexico, and also worked at the New Mexico Arthritis Foundation and MetLife. Volunteering was close to her heart and she spent many hours volunteering across various organizations including Manzano High School Band and the Air Force Wives Club.  She could finagle you to volunteer to help do whatever needed to be done.  We thank her for our favorite spaghetti sauce, stuffing and pearl onion recipes. She loved New Mexican food, especially Chile Con Queso, and never said no to Green Chili, potato salad, or elote.

MaryAnn is meeting her grandchild Michael Wells; brothers, Bill and Emmet Shockley and John and James McConvery and her parents, Electa and John McConvery.

She is survived by her five children; Natalie Edwards, Loretta (Dennis) Eldridge, David (Wendy) Duerksen, Marian (Shawn) Clark and Christopher Duerksen; grandchildren, Kristine (Randy) Dowd, Valerie Wells, Rebecca (Cameron) Keefner, Tawnie (Levi) Gray, Justine Eldridge, Jessica (Mitchell) Hess, Jahnai (Mark) Bilovsky, Brandon Duerksen, Kimberly (David) Hernandez, Shawn Clark, Sarah Clark and Soren Clark; great grandchildren, Michael Wolf, Amalie Dowd, Daisy Wells, Dawson Hess, Vivian Hess, Elenor Bilovsky, Valentina Eldridge, Lilly Keefner, Erik Keefner, Asher Roth and Parker Gray; her niece, Jennifer (Roberto) Lopez, and great nephew Antonio Lopez. MaryAnn is also survived by her Czech family Jiří Tichopád, Anna Tichopádová, and Eliska Tichopádová. Her family was her greatest joy, biological or not you were considered family.

In lieu of sending flowers, if you feel compelled, she would love for you to donate to your favorite charity.

MaryAnn's family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Life on Friday, June 30th, 2:00pm in the Chapel of Direct Funeral Services, 2419 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.

Join us virtually on Google Meet at the link below.

MaryAnn Duerksen Celebration of Life

Friday, June 30 · 2:00 – 4:00pm

Time zone: America/Denver

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/cts-szwo-bnr