Nora Maria Duran

Nora Maria “Norin” Duran passed away lovingly surrounded by all her family at age 73 after a three-year battle with cancer. She was born on June 20, 1949, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Norin was the first-born child of Nora Palmer and Jorge Rexach. As the oldest of 3 siblings and 30 cousins, she was always surrounded by little children, and developed a deep love for babies. She graduated from Colegio Nuestra Señora del Pilar and went on to study Art and Fashion Design at Gulf Park College in Mississippi. Growing up surrounded by many crafty aunts, she was very well versed in arts, and her sewing skills were very advanced by the time she was a teenager. She opted not to finish her degree because it was not challenging enough for her, and returned to her peaceful island life in Puerto Rico.

When she returned from her short ended college career, a relationship began to blossom with her best friend’s brother. She married Ivan Duran on December 20, 1969. They had three children: Arlene, Javier, and Alex. Nora loved being a mom, an aunt, and a housewife. She also used her artistic skills to make her children’s clothes, to decorate her house, and even to make toys and furniture for her children. She made sure her children had a terrific life surrounded by all the love of their immense family, and was always the one making up games and fun activities for all the children. In 1977, she became a Girl Scout Leader. Her troop rapidly grew to become one of the largest and best known in the island. She received numerous merits and awards for her contributions as she pioneered many innovative techniques to better the Girl Scout movement. She worked directly with the Council President to train other leaders. Nora also supplemented her household income by designing, and making custom made dresses for events and recitals.

In the summer of 1986, Nora and Ivan decided to move their family to Orlando, Florida. Once established and settled into her new home, Nora went to look for work using her skills. She tried sewing for a clothing line, and assembling pc boards. From work and church, Nora started making new friends. A new horizon opened up when she stumbled into a small group of musicians meeting weekly to become the choir for a new Parish in East Orlando. She taught herself to play the guitar and Ivan loved singing, so they fit right in. A new set of wonderful friendships blossomed and Nora, once again, began to shine with her creativity and her dedication.

In 1991, at the age of 42, she gave birth to her baby girl and 4th child, Jessica. She stopped working to raise her baby, but also offered to care for her friend’s children. As with everything she did, Nora went above and beyond, and ended up with what we lovingly called “Manina’s Day Care”. For over twenty years, she lovingly cared for many little ones, including two of her granddaughters. While raising Jessica, she was completely involved in Jessica’s dance school, extra curricular activities, church summer camps, the church choir responsibilities, baking cakes, and sewing.

Later in life Nora became a loving caregiver to her parents, supporting her brother, Jorge, who later moved from Puerto Rico to live with them. After her mom’s passing, Nora took in her younger brother, Ivan, who developed Alzheimer’s. No matter how busy her life became, Nora never stopped making beautiful masterpieces, or helping her family and friends.

In 2019, Nora was diagnosed with a very uncommon form of Lung Cancer and began her fight for life with a great attitude and optimism. She was greatly weakened from the side effects of the chemo, but also from the isolation of the COVID pandemic. Still, she very seldom complained, never felt sorry for her herself, and continued helping her family in any way she could. Her favorite pastime became following her grandkids, nieces, nephews, godchildren and all the children she lovingly cared for on social media. By then, she had 3 great grandchildren which she adored.

Nora is survived by her husband of 53 years, Ivan; her four children: Arlene, Javier, Alex, and Jessica; her grandchildren: Monica, Veronica, Mia and Daniel; great grandchildren: Brock, Catalina and Skylynn; and her two brothers, Jorge and Ivan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jorge and Nora.

Nora will always be remembered for her cheerful personality, her many talents, her creativity, her unselfishness, her commitment to excellence, her love of children, and her peaceful demeanor and patience.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Friday, February 24, 2023 at Saint Isaac Jogues Catholic Church at 10:00 am. Followed by a private Burial Ceremony for immediate family at Chapel Hill Cemetery at 1:00 pm. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Iglesia Maranata de Oviedo at 1:00 pm.

Fond memories and words of encouragement may be written here for the Duran family in the online guest book below.