Belle Duran

A week ago Tuesday, my mom went out to lunch with her friend Belle Duran, who was happy and spunky as ever.  Belle served as substitute mom for mother in some ways over the years.  My mom was in her twenties when she lost first her dad and then her mother.  Belle was about the same as age as my grandma and they lived as neighbors for many years.  She grew up knowing Belle and her two boys as neighborhood friends.

I went with my mom to Belle's 90th surprise birthday party a few years ago and Belle had a great time dancing.  She enjoyed life.  The day after meeting my mom Belle was feeling under the weather and found to have pneumonia.  She passed at away at age 94 on Wednesday, February 22nd.  I only met her a few times but I loved her and I know my mom did, too.  She was sweet, loving and full of life in all her years.  She will be missed.

Isabelle T. Duran 

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Our beloved and honored mother passed into the arms of the Lord on February 22, 2012, taking a piece of our hearts with her. Isabelle was born June 14, 1917 in Florence, Colorado. She was the first born into the union of Mike and Rae (Lopez) Tafoya, with eight brothers and sisters to follow her birth. Living her entire life in Colorado Springs, she met and married Frederick A. Duran Sr. on November 23, 1940. This union produced four boys. The Lord claimed the soul of her loved husband on May 23, 1957, where upon she resolved and succeeded in raising her four sons on her own. No easy task now or then. Late in life, Isabelle took it upon herself to care for her aging mother and father until they both passed away. She also cared for the needs of her eldest son, Frederick Jr., until his death in 2001. Isabelle's inner strength, warmth and beauty were evident to all she met, as is obvious by the countless number of individuals she calls friends. Sadness will be felt with her passing. Isabelle's passion for family, friends, dancing, music and the Broncos were paramount in her lifestyle. She made life worth living. Tiny of stature, magnificent in spirit, she was a well of love. Her engaging laugh rides on the wind; her permanent smile outshines the sun. We all felt better just being in her presence. The world is a better place because she graced the hills and valleys of each day. We are blessed to have known her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Sr., parents, Mike and Rae Tafoya, and her loving son, Frederick, Jr. Isabelle is survived by three loving sons, Robert (Marcie), Donald and Richard Duran, and lone grandson, Richard. A Celebration of her life will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel. It will continue at 5:00 p.m. at Elks Lodge BPOE #309, 3400 North Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907. Cremation is planned and she will be interred at Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials in her name may be made to the Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs, 228 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. Online condolences: shrineofremembrance.com.