The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Sylvia Graciela Durnan, age 66, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Jan. 16, 2023. Born on May 6, 1956 to Susana Perales Lopez and Adolfo Perales in Weslaco, Texas, Sylvia was raised in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico with her seven brothers and sisters.
In 1975 she moved to Globe, Arizona, where she married and raised a family of four. She had a passion for education and earned two master’s degrees from Northern Arizona University, the first in English as a Second Language and the second in Special Education, graduating with honors for both. She worked for the Globe and Miami Unified School Districts for 20 years.
Sylvia was the beloved wife of Francis A. Durnan. She was the devoted mother to Susana Durnan, Lyanna Navarro, Ian (Cassandra) Durnan and Miranda Durnan. She believed her children were her greatest accomplishment and often shared that they were her most valuable treasure. She was a proud and loving Nana to Andrés Durnan, Francesca Navarro, Jonah Navarro and Ariadna Durnan.
Sylvia valued God, family and country above all else. She enjoyed entertaining and loved spending time talking, laughing, telling jokes and sharing stories with family gathered around her table. She took great pleasure in cooking for her family, often cooking their favorite homemade Mexican food dish. Cooking was her deepest expression of love.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her cherished mother, Susana Perales Lopez, her father, Adolfo Perales, her brother, Hugo Perales, her nephew, Noé Perales and her niece, Ariadna Perales. She is survived by her husband, four children and four grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Victor Perales, Adolfo Perales, Maria Ventura Perales Lopez, Susana Salinas and David Perales Lopez, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Sylvia’s visitation and Rosary on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 at Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home in Mesa, Arizona, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the Rosary starting at 6 p.m. Her funeral mass will be held Friday, Jan. 27, 2023 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Mesa at 10 a.m., immediately followed by burial service at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.
