Our beloved mother, grandmother and soon to be great grandmother, Mercedes C. Duarte was called home to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Monday, May 17, 2021. She was surrounded by family, love and prayers.
Mercedes was born in Douglas, AZ on February 23, 1925 to Elizabeth G. Cueto and Daniel Cueto.
In 1955, she married Frank G. Duarte (dec) and had four daughters, Deborah Duarte, Yvonne Robberts (Jim), Elizabeth Dodds (Tim) and Lillian Duarte.
A homemaker most of her life, she touched the hearts of everyone she met and knew. For a brief time, she worked for the Internal Revenue Service and Arizona Department of Revenue in Phoenix, AZ.
Grandchildren, Justin Duarte (Melissa Lane and her daughter, Vesper) and Matthew Robberts (Michelle) called her Nana and will miss her terribly.
Niece, Elizabeth Jolly (Larry) and nephews, Chris Jolly (dec) and Ian Jolly as well as grandnephews, Christopher, Liam and Dominic will also miss her.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, Oscar Segobia, Benjamin Cueto, Daniel Cueto, Rosita Cueto, Lillian Calderon and Walter Chamberlain.
Mom was the kindest, most gentle, caring, loving, merciful, forgiving and faith-filled human being. She was always there to lend a hug, advice, a shoulder to lean on and unconditional love.
She enjoyed music and going to concerts, writing poems, gardening, traveling, and could fix anything. She was also a wonderful cook and loved adventures of all kinds and passed these passions on to her daughters.
Mom you are loved and cherished beyond all measure. We are so heartbroken and will miss you every day, but we know you are now with God and no longer in pain.
Rest easy sweet and gentle angel. God now holds you in his eternal embrace.
A Rosary will be held on Thursday, May 27 at 6 p.m., family visitation at 4 pm, non-family visitation at 5 pm. Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church on Friday, May 28 at 10:30 a.m., 4715 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix.
Burial at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 12:30 p.m., 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
Suzanne Day
Lillian, Liz, Yvonne, and all the family – You all loved your mother and grandmother so much and so well. May your memories and love for each other lift you up in these hard times. Sending our love to you.
Angela Anderson
Lillian. Liz. Yvonne, My deepest condolences.. Prayers of love and Healing to all! Heavenly Father surrounds you with his love and comfort
Hillary Foose
Lil and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Duarte sounded like an amazing woman who raised an equally amazing family. You are in my thoughts and prayers, wishing you strength and comfort during this difficult time. Let lots of love surround you! Take care.
A Cooksey-Williams
Lillian and family – We are lifting you all up in thought and in prayer for this most difficult loss. The center of your family universe, your mother, while gone from this earth, will surely live on through the lives of you her sweet daughters and family. What an amazing legacy she leaves. Our most sincere condolences my friend. -Abby, Troy, and Arianna
Maria Quijada-Lopez
I worked with Mercedes at the IRS and I remember her fondly. I’ll never forget her kindness she extended to me while working there. To her daughters my deepest sympathies, she was a loving soul. May God bless you and your families during this difficult time.
Lillian Duarte
Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you mom. Every second of every day, you’re in my thoughts and in my heart. Although I know you are now more alive than ever, the hole left in my heart and in my life will never be filled. You were the best mom, my best friend and so much more. I love and will miss you and dad, forever.
Justin
You cross my mind all the time. It’s so easy to forget you’re gone because I never had a life without you. You always cared what I had to say, you supported my dreams and my passions, and took an interest in things no one else did. You loved so hard, harder than anyone. And you dedicated your life, selflessly, to making other people happy. I never heard you ask for anything, even though you deserved the world. I love you so much grandma, you gave us all so much, all we can do is try to pass it on to those in our lives. I look forward to seeing you when the time comes, Thank you for everything Nana, I love you so dearly.