Virginia V. Duran

Virginia V. Duran, 101, of Topeka, passed away at her home Saturday, December 29, 2007, surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Duran was a homemaker.  She was proud of raising nine children and being a loving mother and grandmother.

She was born May 21, 1906, in Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, the daughter of Anacleto and Concepcion (Rodriguez) Villafranco.  She graduated from Escuela Commercial Business College in Monterrey, Mexico.  Mrs. Duran immigrated to the United States in 1922 and became a naturalized citizen in 1958.

She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the Legion of Mary at church.  Mrs. Duran was a Mexican Fiesta volunteer and during the 1920’s was active in the Spanish Theatre Benefit which was the major fundraiser for the church prior to the Mexican Fiesta.

Mrs. Duran was married to Jose G. Duran on September 24, 1927, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.  He preceded her in death on June 14, 1959.  A son, Gonzalo Duran also preceded her in death on November 25, 1999, and two grandchildren, Leroy Bahr Jr. on November 21, 1964, and Kathy Bahr on July 29, 1984.

Survivors include:  three sons, Jose (Grace) Duran of Cahokia, IL, Arthur Duran of the home, and Frank (Rosa) Duran of Knoxville, TN; four daughters, Bebe (Leroy) Bahr of Topeka, Rose Mary Davalos of Hutchinson, Virginia (Jeff) Manley of Roseburg, OR, twins,Yolanda (Alva) Bowyer of Junction City, Judy (Tom) Soza of Topeka, and a daughter-in-law, Rosemary Duran of Erie, CO.  She is also survived by twenty-six grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, as well as a brother-in-law Frank (Jovita) Duran and sister-in-law Anita Lopez all of Chicago.   Mrs. Duran was the last survivor of her immediate family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.  Mrs. Duran will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where a Legion of Mary rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. followed by a parish rosary at 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Heartland Hospice or the charity of the donor’s choice and sent in care of the funeral home, 800 SW  6th, Topeka, KS 66603.