Dalonda Lee Duran

A life worth celebrating, a love that remains.

September 26, 1979 – December 19, 2025

We gather to celebrate the life of Dalonda Lee Duran, known to many as Dawn.

This is not a funeral. It is a time to honor, remember, and reflect on a life lived with heart, connection, and love.

Dawn was born on September 26, 1979, in Thornton, Colorado, and her earthly journey came to a close on December 19, 2025, in Aurora, Colorado. She was gently welcomed home by her beloved husband, Pat Duran, and by her mother, Laureen Hettig Pettit, who preceded her in death.

Dawn was a devoted sister, a loving daughter, a doting auntie, a hard worker, and a loyal friend to so many. She loved deeply and showed it in the way she lived—by showing up, caring fiercely, and giving her heart without hesitation. Dawn didn’t do anything halfway. If you were part of her world, you mattered.

She is survived by her father, Ernest B. Kemm Jr.; her siblings, Christopher Kemm and Michelle Espinoza; and a large, beautifully layered family she worked hard to keep connected.

Dawn was a proud aunt to Phillip Espinoza, Joshua Espinoza, Rebecca Guevara, Debra Munoz, Jasmine Kemm, Kristina Kemm, Enrique Cordova, Marcus Kemm, Daniel Lujan and Jada Kemm, and a loving great-aunt to Nozelle Espinoza, Julius Espinoza, Aurelia Magallanes, Josiah Carillo, Carlos Carillo, Nyellie Coria, and Serenity Banks.

Dawn also had a special love for her beautiful cats, who brought her comfort and companionship in quiet moments. She was passionate about capturing life through her camera—freezing moments in time so others could hold onto them forever. Whether it was sports, proms, senior pictures, weddings, or once-in-a-lifetime milestones, Dawn had an eye for moments that mattered. She didn’t just take pictures—she preserved memories.

She shared her husband Pat’s love for music and travel, embracing experiences that brought people together and made life feel full. In many ways, Dawn was the glue that kept her family connected—always reaching out, always checking in, always making sure no one felt forgotten.

Dawn loved her friends fiercely—especially the die-hard friendships built through countless nights of laughter, connection, and happiness. Those weren’t casual friendships. They were deep, loyal, and lasting. She also cared deeply for her coworkers, particularly those she worked closely with over the years—people who didn’t just work alongside her, but genuinely cared about her as a person.

She was also a die-hard Colorado sports fan, especially when it came to her beloved Denver Broncos. That passion, loyalty, and spirit were part of who she was.

Though her absence leaves a space that can never truly be filled, her impact remains. She leaves behind the memories she captured, the connections she held together, the love she gave freely, and the way she made people feel seen and valued.

Dawn will always be remembered—not for how her story ended, but for how fully she lived it.

Location: Royal Event CenterDate: Friday, January 16, 2026Time: 4:00 – 8:00 PM

Dress Code: Denver Broncos / Broncos Country gear encouraged

Food: Catered by Las Delicias, serving Dawn’s favorite food

Beverages: Donations accepted; venue beverage requirements apply

Special Request: Adult guests are invited to share one Fireball shot in Dawn’s honor