Obituary of Rosemarie Duran

Rosemarie was born December 20, 1928 in Ventura, California to Harry Olivera, Sr. and Ramona Olivera (Ludvigson). Rosemarie was a person of never ending love and good humor with a home that was open to everyone. Always supportive and encouraging, everyone she met soon learned to love her, too. She loved knitting and crocheting and cooking and especially wrestling, even driving to LA to yell and cheer at the matches. And her special treat every two weeks was getting her nails done and having laughs at a Famous Nails Salon. In 1945, while walking to the movies, she met a handsome soldier and the love of her life, Raul Duran, and at the age of 16 she married him. They had many happy years and many children together. For a fun second honeymoon Rosemarie and Raul traveled to Germany and Italy, but when Raul became sick with leukemia and died in 1978, she shouldered the burden of supporting her large family without ever complaining or asking for help. She worked tirelessly to make sure each child continued to have everything they needed. After retiring from Hillside House, even as her health began to decline, she still found the strength to lovingly raise her grandchildren, Raul Duran, Jr. and Michelle Duran and her great granddaughter, Gabriella Duran from the time they were babies. Our mother's contagious smiles, laughter and gentle touch will be in the minds and hearts of her family forever. Rosemarie was preceded in death by her mother and father, Harry and Ramona, her husband, Raul Duran, Sr. and her sons Michael Duran Sr. and Arthur Duran. Rosemarie leaves behind her sister, Ramona Garcia, and brothers, Harry and Lester Olivera and their families. Her children are CSM Raul T. Duran (Judy) Frank Duran, Linda Duran, Steven Duran, Sr. Theresa Duran, Raul Duran, Jr. and two who she loved as her children, Gregg Arvo and Anthony Le. Her grandchildren are Raul Duran, Jr. (Rosanna), Rosemarie Duran, Michelle Duran, Gina Garcia, Christina Guerrero (Mark), Michael Duran, Jr. Bianca Duran, Joseph Michael Duran, Nicole Dominguez (Thomas), Natasha Duran, Danielle Duran (Ivan), Steven Duran, Jr. (Candy), Heidi Miller, Robert Duran, Diane Kitchen (Jason), Richard Duran (Mariella), Gary Spielberg, Antonio Salazar, Alexis Guerrero, Angelica Guerrero. And her great grandchildren are Gabriella Duran, Desirae Duran, Jazmin Garcia, Gabriel Alvarez, Thomas Dominguez, Daniel Dominguez, Ayris Domingez, "Baby Cole" Dominguez, Mercedes Duran, Marvin Duran, Milani Duran, Hank Duran, Zack Duran, Jaylon Duran, Chase Duran, Rachel Duran, Brandon Kitchen, Christian Kitchen, Trevor Kitchen, Ashley Kitchen, Aurora Guerrero, Abigail Rose Duran, Joshua Duran, Steven Duran III, Isaac Duran, Joseph Duran, Jordan Duran, Mark Guerrero, Jr., Matthew Garcia, Skyler Garcia, and Alayna Marie Duran. The family would like to thank Dr. Kyle Lemon for his compassion and guidance during her last hours; the nursing staff at Cottage Hospital's 6 Central; and Danielle Duran and Donna Rubinstein for always being there in our mother's time of need. Recitation of the Rosary will be held Friday May 25, 2012 at 7:00 PM at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday May 26, 2012 at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Church with interment to follow immediately at Calvary Cemetery. A celebration of Rosemarie's life and great spirit will then be held at 835 Fellowship Rd., Santa Barbara, for family and friends.