June 23, 1948 - September 19, 2022

Carolyn June Duran, age 74, passed away on September 19, 2022 peacefully at her home in Loveland, Colorado with her family by her side.  Despite her illnesses of Muscular Dystrophy and Parkinsons she lived a joyful and love filled life.  She was born on June 23, 1948 in Fort Morgan, Colorado to Raul Mancera and Esther Cardenas. She had four siblings, Elizabeth (Liz), William (Buddy Sr.), Linda, and Salvador. 

She had two children Larry Alan Williams and Julie Anne Williams (Pennington) whom she loved dearly. In 1970 she married Larry Dean Williams and in 1985 she subsequently married Larry Duran (Tec) in Boulder, Colorado.

Carolyn earned her Bachelors degree and Masters degree in Primary/Bilingual Education from the University of Northern Colorado and dearly loved teaching pre-K and kindergarten.

Subsequent to 1986 they moved to many locations including Houston, TX; Guam, Marianas Islands; Fort Lupton, Colorado and later finally settled in Loveland, Colorado. Together Carolyn and her husband built their own home west of Loveland along with family and friends.

Along with her husband’s business trips she visited thirty two international countries. Carolyn’s personality was such that she always enjoyed meeting people of other cultures especially the young children.  Since her passion was teaching young children she never lacked for brightening the eyes and minds of her students.  She always loved telling them of her adventures of living on an island, snorkeling over the Marianas Trench (deepest part of the earth), standing on The Great Wall of China, and touring the many historical sites of Europe. 

Carolyn also loved family (57 first cousins), gardening, traveling, and recording the history of her family. She loved watching her five grandchildren grow, flourish and live joyful and independent lives.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents Raul and Esther Mancera, her sister-in-law, Christine Prieto and her cherished god-son, Salvador Prieto.  She is survived by her husband Larry Duran (Tec), her son Larry Alan Williams, her daughter Julie Anne Pennington (spouse Tom), grandchildren Isabela, Sophia, Olivia, Zachary and Jordan (Dominic).

The family wishes to especially thank those caregivers who took excellent care of her during her illnesses: Barbara Kline, Esteban Muniz, Jennifer Cardenas, Jamie Pestridge, and Monica Chavarria.  Also she received excellent care from her husband (Tec) and her daughter (Julie Pennington) and son (Larry Williams).  There are no more compassionate caregivers.  Also the family wishes to thank the entire Halcyon Hospice Team for their compassion and care during her illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held October 3, 2022 10:00 am at the Tabor/Rice Funeral Home  (75 S. 13th, Brighton, Colorado).  A reception will follow at the St. Augustine Parish Hall (178 S. 6th Ave., Brighton, Colorado) from 12:00 until 3:00pm.  Gravesite services will be held at a later date with the immediate family.

Flowers can be requested from Adore Florals 720.432.5116

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In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Carolyn’s favorite charities: 

               St. Joseph Indian School                     St. Labre Indian School

               1301 N. Main St.                                 112 St. Labre Campus Drive

               Chamberlain, SD   57325                   Ashland, MT.  59003

               800.341.2235                                      406.784.4500