Margarita D. Flores

Margarita Duarte Flores was born to Pedro Duarte and Julia Cervantes on February 9, 1933 in Laredo Texas. Her father died before she turned a year old and she was raised by her mother. She was the youngest of seven children and as the youngest, she was her mother’s constant companion.  She recalled living through World War II and told us that along with her brother Martin, she would accompany her mother to the movies where they would try to see if they could catch glimpses of her older brothers, who were serving in the armed forces, this instilled in her a deep love for this country. A love and pride which she instilled in her children. She often sang for them the patriotic songs she learned at school. She was raised in a home of musicians and she learned to play the piano at a young age, and that love of music would accompany her throughout her life. She had a beautiful voice, and over the years, her family, friends, and church family were blessed with her musical talent. She passed on the love of music to all of her children and ensured they all played at least one instrument. At a young age she began to play the hymns at church, and this began a lifetime of service at Church. It was while playing at church one day, that she would meet a young missionary named Moroni Flores.  That missionary became the love of her life, and October 23, 1951, they married and eventually settled in El Paso, Texas, where they raised their sons, Moroni, Jr, Heriberto, Humberto, Rolando, Norberto and their daughters, Lucila Lorena, and Anabelle.  This October 23, 2023 would have marked their 72nd wedding anniversary.

As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Margarita D. Flores lived, taught, and modeled her values. Our mother’s faith was the foundation of who she was and how she lived her life. That faith sustained her throughout her life, until she took her last breath. It was the cornerstone of the family she raised and all the values she taught them. That faith gave her many opportunities to serve her fellow human beings. Service was a love language for mom and she practiced this her entire life. She showed that love through service in her many callings in different auxiliary organizations of the church. She was a Relief Society president, served in the primary and served in the Young Women’s Organization. She was also a seminary teacher and a visiting teacher. Throughout the years she would care for the sick and visit the lonely widows and widowers, along with her husband, Moroni.  Along with our father, Moroni, our mother served as a temple worker in the Temple in Ciudad, Juarez, Mexico. The friendships she made and cultivated over all those many years blessed her  and her family.  Our mother was a blessing to all who knew her, especially her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her extended family.

Another way mom showed her love was through being an exceptional neighbor. At each of the houses where they lived in their time in El Paso, she befriended her neighbors. She was privy to their struggles and many shared personal tribulations with her, trusting her and turning to her for comfort.  As best she could, as they moved to different homes, she kept in touch with them. When she and her beloved Moroni Flores moved to their final  home, 34 years ago, she made it a point to get to know her neighbors.  She went door to door, introducing herself, and sharing with them her delicious baked goods. This gesture gave fruit to years of neighborhood block parties that Margarita and Moroni would often host. It also was the basis for a particularly beautiful friendship with her next door neighbor where they cared for each other in different capacities.

Margarita modeled all the values she taught her children. She modeled love through service. She taught us that if something was worth doing, it was worth being well done. She would often correct us by making us redo a chore or task because it had not been up to her standards. She taught us to be grateful for all the blessings we enjoyed. Our mother was always so grateful and demonstrated it in her daily life and in every prayer she gave. She was constantly reminding us, her children and her grandchildren, that God was good. One of her many lessons she taught us when she went through her personal struggles, or a family member was struggling, was to always be grateful for all the Lord‘s blessings, particularly when life got difficult. Another teaching she modeled was treating others the way you wanted to be treated. She was always respectful of her fellow human beings, and always treated everyone with dignity and respect, a value she instilled as she did not tolerate her children fighting with each other.

There were so many ways our mother showed her love, but one that was so integral to her, was the food she prepared. She often would reply to someone complimenting a dish or some baked goods, “Está hecho con Amor”. It’s made with love. That was her not-so secret ingredient in everything she made. There wasn't a single one of her children that she didn't indulge in a favorite meal, many times over, throughout the years. Our Mother had a delightful sense of humor and a keen memory. She’d often share observations with a rowdy laugh and you couldn’t help but laugh with her, it was contagious.  She loved to read the comics, especially the Sunday Comics and her Hola magazines.  

Mother was firm with her children and grandchildren, but that firmness was always accompanied by love and lots of forgiveness. Along with her beloved husband, the loves of her life were her sons and daughters, and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her face would light up when they would walk in her house. Our beloved mother is also survived by her daughters in law, Marnee Flores, Judy Flores, Lillian Flores, and Mary Flores and her son-in-law, Travis Logan.  She will be greatly missed by her surviving sisters-in-law, and brother-in law, and her many nieces and nephews, along with many friends and neighbors.

There won’t be a day we don’t miss you. Until we meet again, mama.  

Margarita D. Flores, 90, entered into eternal rest on September 11, 2023 in El Paso, Texas. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Moroni Flores; her daughter, Laura Margarita Flores, her grandson, Tristan Flores Logan. Her parents, Pedro Duarte and Julia Cervantes. Brothers, Bernardo Duarte, Luciano Duarte, Isidro Duarte, Hilario Duarte, Martin Duarte and Sister, Bruna Duarte. Margarita D. Flores is survived by her loving sons, Moroni Flores Jr., Heriberto Flores, Humberto Flores, Rolando Flores and Norberto Flores. Daughters, Lucila Lorena Flores and Anabelle Logan. Also leaving 40 grandchildren and 47 great grandchildren to honor and cherish her memory. Margarita was very loved and will be dearly missed.

A Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a Celebration of Life starting at 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Sunset Funeral Home- Americas, 9521 North Loop Dr., El Paso, Texas 79907. A Funeral Service will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Friday, September 22, 2023 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1212 Sumac Dr, El Paso, Texas 79925. A Graveside Service will follow at 1:30 PM, Santa Teresa, NM 88008. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home- Americas.

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