Frances Duran Morales, 74, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026.

Born on September 19, 1951, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Frances was raised in the North Valley, where she built a life rooted in love, family, and community.

Frances was a devoted mother, a proud matriarch, and a woman whose warmth touched everyone she met. If you knew her, even for a moment, you knew her kindness, her humor, and the way she made people feel seen, valued, accepted, and deeply loved.

More than anything, Frances was a mother who gave her children the freedom to be fully themselves. She believed deeply in happiness and would always say, "You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I don't want you doing something that doesn't make you happy, don't forget that." Because of her, her children were given the courage and the wings to move through life boldly, authentically, and with heart.

Frances was not only a mother, but a best friend. From the very beginning, the bond she shared with her daughter was unbreakable. They moved through life side by side, talking about everything, laughing constantly, and building a connection rooted in honesty, understanding, and unconditional love. To know each other so deeply was one of life's greatest gifts.

That bond carried through every stage of life. Ramona not only shared a life with her mother, but had the honor of caring for her. They lived together and were rarely ever apart. In her final years, Frances was surrounded by the same love she had always given so freely. She was never alone.

Ramona finds a deep sense of peace in knowing she was able to be by her mother's side through it all, even to her last breath. To have experienced that full circle of love, from being cared for as a child to becoming her mother's caregiver, is something she holds with immense pride and gratitude. She continues to carry her mother's love forward, a living reflection of everything Frances gave so selflessly.

After the passing of her husband, Ramon Morales, Frances showed extraordinary strength and resilience. She stepped into the role of provider, working multiple jobs while continuing to push forward. She returned to school, attended workshops, and steadily built a life for herself, eventually finding her calling as a preschool teacher, a role she truly loved.

She didn't just provide, she made sure her daughter had every opportunity to thrive. She supported Ramona through high school, making sure she could participate in whatever she wanted, and continued that support through college. As one of the first in the family to graduate, Ramona carried not only her own dreams, but her mother's as well. Frances was incredibly proud and made sure her daughter knew it, encouraging her, supporting her, and even sending money when she could, always finding a way to show up.

She believed deeply in education and would often say, "I want you to do more than I ever did in my life." And she meant it. Through Ramona's journey, Frances experienced so many of the things she hadn't had the chance to do herself. Every success, every milestone, every new adventure was something they shared together.

Through her actions, she gave her daughter strength, confidence, and direction. She was there through every chapter, guiding, encouraging, and loving her through it all. In so many ways, Ramona's successes were a reflection of her mother's love, sacrifice, and belief in her.

Frances dedicated her career to early childhood education as a preschool teacher with the City of Albuquerque. She taught at many schools across the city over the years, touching the lives of countless children and families along the way.

She ultimately spent over a decade at La Mesa Elementary School, the place that truly held her heart. There, she served an immigrant community with deep care, compassion, and commitment, supporting not only her students, but their families by offering guidance, resources, and love. Even after retirement, former students and parents continued to reach out to her, a testament to the lasting impact she made. When she retired, she was honored not with one, but four retirement celebrations, each one a reflection of how deeply she was loved and appreciated by her community.

Frances was incredibly creative and talented. She was an artist, known for her beautiful crochet blankets, purses, and sweaters, pieces made with care that will be cherished for years to come. She was also an amazing baker and home cook, known for her biscochitos, cakes, and her signature chicken tacos with cabbage and lemon.

She loved discovering new recipes and would text her daughter, Ramona, early in the morning with idea after idea. It wasn't unusual for Ramona to wake up to ten different recipes, followed by a conversation about which ones they were going to make together.

She had a deep love for beauty and expression. Frances was a jewelry lover and collector, she adored her earrings, rings, and bracelets. And if there was one color that defined her, it was purple. Everything had to be purple.

She had an eye for beauty in everything. She loved things that sparkled, that felt whimsical, that brought her joy, beautiful purses, vibrant colors, flowers, jewelry, and meaningful pieces that made her feel alive. Her daughter would often lovingly tease her, calling her "Zarina," saying she must have been royalty in another life because of her fabulous taste. Frances would laugh, knowing there was some truth in it. She simply loved beauty and surrounded herself with it, and in doing so, she became a reflection of it herself.

She loved flowers and would always say, "I want flowers now, while I'm alive." And she always had them, fresh flowers surrounding her, just as she surrounded others with beauty and love.

Frances had a passion for music, especially Tom Jones and Rod Stewart, and found joy in life's little things, including her favorite Dubai chocolate.

When her daughter was young, she loved reading, and trips to the library became a special part of their time together, memories that remained meaningful and close to her heart. She also loved her television shows, especially American Idol, where she would enthusiastically vote for her favorite contestants.

She also believed deeply in community and advocacy. As a poll worker, she took pride in civic engagement and made sure to pass that value on to her daughter, bringing her along and teaching her the importance of using her voice. That influence helped shape a lifelong passion for advocacy and service.

Some of the most special memories she shared with her daughter were the simplest ones. From childhood, they would hop on the city bus or be dropped off in downtown El Paso and spend the day shopping together, it was their tradition. Even later in life, being in a wheelchair never stopped Frances. They continued their outings, going to their favorite TJ Maxx, filling the cart, and then going to "lonchar", their word for going out to eat. These moments remained filled with laughter, joy, and love.

Frances loved her children deeply, her daughter, Ramona Elizabeth Morales, and her son, David R. Duran, were her world. She was fiercely protective, always thinking of them, always making sure they had everything they needed. Even recently, she was excitedly shopping for Duran Duran t-shirts for her son, wanting to bring him joy in the smallest ways. She made her children feel loved every single day, steadily, consistently, and without question.

Frances was also the heart of her extended family. After the loss of her sisters, she became the one her nieces and nephews turned to, for comfort, for advice, and for love. She remained deeply connected to them, speaking often, listening, guiding, and holding space for them as they navigated life and their own grief. She was a safe place, a source of strength, and a continuation of the love they had lost.

She became the matriarch of her family, not by title, but by the way she showed up for everyone. She was the lifeline so many leaned on. She was also the first to show up for her family in times of need, whether caring for loved ones when they were sick, supporting nieces and nephews through major life moments like weddings and childbirth, or simply being present when someone needed her most. If something was happening, Frances was there.

There was also a lighthearted side to those close connections. Inspired by The Waltons, her family affectionately used the word "Cora" as a code for sharing stories, updates, or a little bit of gossip. It became a running joke, calls and messages would begin with, "I have some Cora for you," and Frances was always at the center of it. Whether she was receiving it or sharing it, it was a small, joyful tradition that reflected how closely connected she was to her nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.

That love she gave so freely continues to live on. In the days since her passing, her family has shown that same care and presence to her daughter, a reflection of the love and connection Frances built throughout her life.

She was also a great listener, a source of wisdom and advice, and someone who loved her people with everything she had. She would do anything for her family.

She adored her grand pups, Charlie, Bailey Bear, and Luna, who brought her immense joy.

Frances was also a beloved friend. She shared a lifelong bond with her childhood best friend, Margaret Contreras, whom she considered a sister.

Her love was expressed in the smallest moments. As a child, her daughter would slip notes under the bathroom door that read, "Mom, I love you, I miss you." Years later, that same love lived on through calls across the house, laughter, and constant reminders of how much they meant to each other.

Above all, Frances was funny. She had an infectious laugh that could light up any room. She loved sending silly memes and asking, "Who does this remind you of?" In the days since her passing, so many stories have begun the same way: "We were laughing... your mom had me laughing..." That was her gift.

Frances was beautiful, her dimples, her radiant red hair, her presence, but even more so her heart and soul. Once she loved you, you felt it. It felt like a hug. You knew you had met someone truly special, someone you would carry with you for the rest of your life.

Frances is survived by her daughter, Ramona Elizabeth Morales, and her son, David R. Duran, along with many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family whose lives she touched deeply.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ramon Morales, the love of her life, whom she continued to hold close in her heart. She often dreamed of him, a reflection of a love that never faded.

Frances lived a life full of love, laughter, strength, and light. Her children find comfort in knowing there are no regrets, only a lifetime of shared moments and a bond that will never be broken.

I may not be able to see you physically, but I know you are here in my heart. Until we see each other again, Mama, I love you forever.

A Rosary will he held Friday, April 24th, 2026 at 9:30am at St. Jude Thaddeus Church at 5712 Paradise Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114. A Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 10:15am, followed by burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.