Martha Ballweg Durand

On Wednesday, April 8, 2020, Martha Ballweg Durand, 90, peacefully passed away in the hospital with her daughter by her side and the love of her family surrounding her. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. Please take a moment to share a kind thought or memory with Martha’s family at www.andersonbethany.co m. Martha was a descendent and grandchild of two Texas pioneer families; Patrick and Elizabeth Cully Day and Martin and Anna Ballweg. She was born on February 3, 1930, to Leo and Mabel Day Ballweg in Mansfield, Texas. She was lovingly raised by Oscar “Boy” Rosier and Agnes Day Rosier. As a child, she attended school at Gertie in Webb, Texas and remembers the bus stopping at a local store so students could buy a soda pop. She graduated from Mansfield High School in 1947 and went on to attend and graduate from Our Lady of Victory College in Ft. Worth, Texas. She enjoyed her time there and met many lifelong friends. She was the Solidarity Treasurer, the Marian yearbook editor, Student Council Representative and involved in the Albertus Choir, Press Club, Sports Club and Speech Club. She was voted Freshman and Sophomore Favorite plus was an Honor Student. She received her nursing degree in 1950 from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Fort Worth, Texas. As a nurse, she worked in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she met her best friend of over 60 years, June Bible. They made their way to Roswell, New Mexico in the 1950’s where they met and married their husbands living only two houses apart ever since. Martha worked as an operating room nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Roswell, New Mexico, where she met the love of her life, Joe Davis Durand. They married on January 7, 1961, in Arlington, Texas, and were happily married for 58 wonderful years. After getting married, she worked for General Dynamics as the nurse at the missile range site. When their children arrived, Michelle and Roger, she began her career as a school nurse in the valley for three school districts (Dexter, Hagerman, and Lake Arthur) until her retirement in 1988. Her efforts for her church and community were evident by her actions. She was a pillar of her church community, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Dexter, New Mexico. She spent many years serving as a Eucharistic Minister, helping with and making food for fiestas and fundraising, teaching CCD classes to the children and assisting with treasury tasks. She took pride in supporting her schools’ athletic events, even changing sides at half-time to represent both schools. She was a member of the Dexter Women’s Club, serving as president in 1969-70, and in her later years enjoyed playing bridge with wonderful friends. She will be remembered for her sharp wit, larger than life laughter and her innate ability to tell it like she saw it. She was a sharp debater and enjoyed many debates with good friends over the years. Her compassion saw no bounds as she tirelessly worked to help the many families in all three of the school districts she served. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters, her husband, Joe Davis Durand, their son, Roger Joseph Durand. She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Durand Runyan of Garland, Texas; daughter-in-law, Sherry Parriera Durand of Dexter, New Mexico; grandchildren, Taylor Durand and fiance Kenda Tucker of Dexter, New Mexico, Ashley Runyan and fiance Florin Constantin of Barcelona, Spain, Alysia Runyan of Garland, Texas, Timothy Durand and wife Cheyenne of Dexter, New Mexico; great-grandchildren: Jayden Runyan, Tristan Runyan-Shirley, Benjamin Runyan-Shirley all of Garland, Texas, Blakeley Harris of Dexter, New Mexico, Grayson Durand of Dexter, New Mexico and many nephews and nieces. She will be missed by many and her memories cherished by all who loved her. SERVICES: There will be a viewing at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated with family as allowed with graveside services following on Thursday, April 16, 2020, at the South Park Cemetery in Roswell, New Mexico. Graveside services will be at 11:00 AM. Father Raphael Nwosu will be officiating. Those wanting to attend will be spaced according to guidelines or may remain in their cars as they feel most comfortable due to COVID-19. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or church of your choice. Martha’s

Martha Ballweg Durand

February 3, 1930 - April 8, 2020