MONTE VISTA— Monte Vista resident Magdalena Helen Eustolia Cordova Duran, 89, went to her eternal rest on Feb. 17, 2019. Helen was welcomed into the world on Aug. 10, 1929 in San Cristobal, N.M., the daughter of Fabian Demetrio Cordova and Eloisa Anna DeHerrera-Vigil.

Helen was a kindhearted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother-great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who enjoyed gardening, canning, embroidery, singing, dancing and joking, Her joy in life was caring for her children and their families and living long enough to enjoy time with them all and seeing her family grow into five generations. She was very proud of all her children and grandchildren. Helen loved God and she was very strong in her faith. She prayed a rosary every day. She always prayed for the orphans and the adopted children that she said were special children of God. She never knew a stranger and helped everyone she knew with all her love. Helen was a very giving person who was always joyful, and positive.

She married the love of her life Jose Prospero Duran and together they celebrated 60 years together until his passing. Helen was a past member of the Fraternidad De Nuestro Padre Jesus of Arroyo Seco and the S.P.C. council #12.

Survivors include her children Nobella (Elmer) Mondragon of Pueblo, CO; Juanita (Manuel) Valerio of Arroyo Hondo, N.M.; D'Ann Garcia Fruita, Colo.; Laura (Rudy) Valverde of Monte Vista; Virginia (Tony) Martinez of of Monte Vista; Linda (Willie) Medina of San Luis; Robert (Judy) Duran of Colorado Springs; 16 grandchildren Jr Mondragon, Kathleen Mondragon, Claudine Valerio-Salazar, Isaac Valerio, Benji Valerio, Aura Lee Pacheco-Montez, David Pacheco, Melissa Martinez-Palomarez, Angelica Martinez-Heredia, Tanya Duran-Lopez, Lisa Duran-Garza, Fabian Duran, Mario Duran, Steve Duran, Judy "JuJu' Duran, Cheryl Fiscus, great and great-great-grandchildren Cassey, Dereck, Dakota, Nathan, Jessie, Natalia, Larry, Larissa, David, Bobby, Michelle, Antonio, Eliana, Eryc, Christopher, Stefani, Yesenia, Destiny, Isaiah, Little Fabian, Dallas, Paula, Angel, Tobias, Dominique and Shania. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jose Prospero Duran, sisters Demertia Martin, Arabella Brockhause, Sophia Garcia, Rose Martinez, Esmiria Duran, Asencion Gonzales, Juanita Cordova, Amalia Cordova, one brother Raymundo Cordova, son-in-law Richard Garcia.  

A Vigil Service with Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Monday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monte Vista. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m., also at St. Joseph Church. Interment will follow at the Monte Vista Cemetery. To leave online condolences please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of Monte Vista.