Mary Alvarez Duran, a lady of grace and a devout Catholic, she had a voice of an angel and spent a lifetime singing in the choir at St. Anthony's of Padua Catholic Church, her angelic voice would fill the church on any given Sunday. She had a green thumb and loved spending time outdoors working in her flower beds.  She also loved spending time in the kitchen baking and preparing delicious meals from scratch.

Mary lost a 4 ½ yr. battle with pancreatic cancer on April 24, 2021 she was 86 years old. She was born on September 24, 1934 in Palacios, Texas to Jacinto Alvarez and Lorenza Morales Alvarez. She resided in Palacios all the days of her life.

Mary was a full time house wife after marrying Gilbert Duran Sr. in 1951, they had 7 children. She was widowed in 2004 upon Gilbert's passing. Mary attended Palacios schools and earned her GED in 1980 when she decided to enter the workforce for the Palacios Leisure Lodge, she advanced from the house keeping department up to the financial aid department over the years upon receiving company schooling. She was Instrumental in finding federal funds for elderly residence at multiple assisted living facilities throughout Texas. She was a volunteer with the Palacios Ministerial Alliance for 12 years, a member of the court #2133 Catholic Daughters and served in other ministries in the church.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Jacinto Alvarez and Lorenza Morales Alamia, husband Gilbert Duran, Sr., infant daughter Carol Anne Duran, grand-daughter Chantel Marie Duran, brother Tony (Paint) Alvarez, and step-father Octavio A. Alamia.

Survivors include children Richard (Juanita) Duran, Sr., Gilbert Duran Jr., Sonia (Isaac) Ayala, Andrew (Lori) Duran, Sr., Carlos (Victoria) Duran, Robby (Bernadette) Duran, Sr., all of Palacios, Amanda Duran (Raul H.); also survived by brother Jesse (Kelly) Alvarez Sr., Sister Alfa Alamia both of Palacios, Sisters Isabel (Noe) Garcia, Amparo (Keith) Brangan, and Estella Alamia, all of San Antonio, 20 grandchildren; 24 great- grand-children; and 2 great-great-grand-children.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 10:30 AM Friday, April 30, 2021 at Our Lady of Assumption Chapel in Palacios.  A rosary will be recited at 10:30 AM followed by Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM with Rev. Dominic Nguyen officiating.  Interment will follow at Palacios Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Larry Tijerina, Richard Duran, Jr., Carlos Ayala, Gus Ayala, Andrew Duran, Jr., Adrian Duran.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Jesse Alvarez Sr. and Mario (Willo) Rodriguez Sr.

Donations can be made in her memory to Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Renovation Fund.