Susan (Duran) Hal, 75, passed away peacefully at her Milford home on Aug. 5, 2022. A birthday celebration was planned for her on Aug. 8, but mom was stubborn to the end and would not allow her family to “fuss” over her birthday again.
Mom was quick to throw a shoe and weekend “cleaning days” often turned into mini dance parties with the oldies cranked up as we worked. Susan was notorious for her lack of patience, not holding back her opinion, and had a knack for “telling it like it is.” She liked four letter words as much as she loved her family (and to her, family was everything). You knew you were family when you were cursed out by her.
She always let you know what she thought even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. She didn’t sugar-coat much. Everyone always knew where they stood with Susan. She liked you or she didn’t, it was black or white. As her children, we are still trying to figure out which one it was for us (we know she loved us).
This isn’t a plea for sympathy, but an obituary for a great woman, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother born Aug. 8, 1946, in Los Angeles, California. The daughter of the late Benjamin and Avelina (Hildago) Duran.
She leaves behind a diverse and tight-knit family and extended family that she thought of as her own and was very proud of. As the matriarch of her family and an independent woman of unwavering commitment and resolute strength, she raised her three children on her own as well as helping to bring up Tammy Cain and her three children whom she considered her family. Mom/Grandma/Gigi successfully passed on her resiliency, love of family, fearlessness and craziness to her heirs.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father (Ben and Avelina Duran); siblings, Pete, Manuel, Eddie, Rita, Dolores and Tootsie; and granddaughters, Veronica Wilson and LaTisha (Rump) Davis.
Susan is survived by her children, sons, John (Christine) Warren and Ben (Dawnia) Ramirez; daughter, Avelina Warren; grandchildren, Chaz and Jake Warren, Byron Wilson, Stacci Fuller, Evelyn Diaz, Alexander Delgado, Raquel, Gabriel, Kira, Autumn, Summer, and Heather Ramirez, Miesha Johnson, and Ray Holt; a multitude of great-grandchildren; siblings, Rico (Avanelle) Duran, Ruth (Ray) Pena, and Patsy Dimeglio; and many others that she cherished as family and referred to her as Mom, Grandma and Gigi.
A Celebration of Life will be Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Milford Mennonite Church. All that knew Susan are welcome to join us in the celebration and remembrance of her life. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Milford Mennonite Church.
