JoAnn Salida, CO Lopez Richardson

JoAnn Lopez Richardson, August 16, 1947 – May 08, 2011, resident of Salida, CO. \r\nAfter a courageous 2 year battle with cancer, JoAnn passed away peacefully with her family at her home in Salida, CO. JoAnn was born in Fairview, New Mexico and was raised in both Espanola and Abiquiu, New Mexico. JoAnn graduated from Espanola Valley High School and after graduation was employed by the New Mexico State Highway Department as a Systems Analyst. She retired from the Highway Department in the mid 1980’s to stay home and raise her 2 children. While at home she attended the Northern New Mexico Community College and the Santa Fe Community College taking courses in education and began substitute teaching for the Pojoaque School District. JoAnn moved to Salida, CO with her husband and children in 2004.JoAnn was one of six children born to the late Juan D. Lopez and Dilia M. Lopez and was the cherished and beloved wife of George Henry Richardson for over 34 years. JoAnn will forever be remembered by her devoted and loving sisters Frances L. Frazier, Martha E. Austin, Carmen L. Jones, and the late Lucille L. Winder, her adored brother Gabriel J. Lopez, beloved children James Harley Richardson and Kimberly Delia Richardson, treasured nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, caring in-laws, along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know her. JoAnn loved country and western dancing, travelling with her husband, rodeo, playing slot machines in Las Vegas, horse racing, bowling, laughing, being with her family, cheering on and encouraging her children, spoiling her great nephews and nieces, having fun with friends, making cards, scrapbooking, taking care of her children’s pets and livestock whom she considered her “grandchildren”, and teaching elementary school children.JoAnn touched the lives of many people with her laugh, smile and generosity, and maintained her trademark sense of humour all the way to the end. JoAnn was eager to help anyone and always made sure everyone’s needs were met. JoAnn had the wonderful gift of gab and people found her easy to talk to, hence she made friends wherever she went, near or far. JoAnn also immensely enjoyed teasing and kidding with her sisters about being the best bowler on their bowling team at National’s because she always won the money.\r\n Friends and family are invited to attend rosary services Thursday August 4th and Friday, August 5th, 2011, at 7:00PM at the Nuestra Senora De Guadalupe Catholic Church, 9 Grazing Elk Drive, Pojoaque Valley, New Mexico 87501, with family receiving condolences beginning at 6:30PM each evening. Celebration of Catholic mass will be held Saturday, August 6th, 2011, at 11:00 AM at the Nuestra Senora De Guadalupe Catholic Church, 9 Grazing Elk Drive, Pojoaque Valley, New Mexico 87501 with a luncheon to follow. Colorado services were held May 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2011 in Salida, CO. The family requests that if flowers are to be sent that they be plants that can be replanted or in lieu of flowers make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Poor Clare’s, or The Humane Society in your local community in JoAnn’s name. \r\n

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