Pilar Rosa Duran, age 93, enjoyed life until she passed on Dec. 27, 2011, at River Region Medical Center in Vicksburg.

Ms. Duran made her home in Vicksburg when her daughter Dr. Elizabeth Duran Swinford was selected as the superintendent of schools for the Vicksburg Warren School District in August 2010.

Funeral memorial services will be held on Jan. 7, 2012, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church in Vicksburg.

Ms. Duran was affectionately known as “Abuela.” She devoted her life to God and family. She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her daughters, Ynes G. Taylor, a teacher in Biloxi, and Dr. Elizabeth Duran Swinford, superintendent for Vicksburg Warren School District. She is also survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Jose Marcel Santiago and Yanessa Lizmar-Ines Santiago of Baton Rouge and Daniella Ashly Taylor, Kaysha Lorena-Liz Taylor and Natasha Maria Taylor of Biloxi. Her great-grandchildren are Jason Miguel Ramon Santiago and Baileigh Delilah Rae Wallace.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Ines Manzano, along with her husband, Ramon Duran, and her siblings, Jesus Manzano, Luz Maria Manzano, Manuel Manzano, Miguel Angel Manzano, Irisbelia Robles, Dora Manzano, Dionisio Manzano and Doris Margarita Manzano.

The family would like to thank River Region Medical Center and Heritage House of Vicksburg for their outstanding care during this past year of her life and Jackie Rozell, her caregiver, who extended love, kindness and compassion to her.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in honor of Pilar Rosa Duran to alzheimers.org or to the charity of your choice.