Marcella Lopez

Marcella R. Lopez, 71 a resident of Santa Cruz went to be with the Lord on Friday July 20, following a sudden illness. She was preceded in death by her son Michael Anthony Lopez, her parents Federico and Consuelo Rodriguez, father and mother-in-law Jose Alberto and Martha Lopez. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Marcella raised four children until beginning her career in Early childhood education- when her youngest began preschool. Marcella loved working with children. She had a 20 year career with the Headstart program before she then opened and operated Happy Days Daycare with her daughter and daughter-in-law for another ten years. During this time, her “extended family” grew to include hundreds of grandkids as she was known as grandma Marcella. Marcella also loved her pets who miss her dearly: Rocky, Itty Bitty, Chato, Blanca, and her fishies, with whom she spent her days grooming, feeding and playing with. Marcella is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Joe, her children, Leon (Tanya), Joey, Marcy (Marty), grandchildren, Candice, Arianna (JD II), Megan (Luke), Amberly (Matthew), Nathaniel (Ashley), Kaune and Brandon, great-grandchildren, Kaydence, JD III, Baby Ayla (Expected August 2018), extended grand-children, Kristen, Briana, Valerie, Georgie, brother and sister-in-laws, Mony Smith, Dolores (Albert) Roybal, Beatrice Roybal(Alfred), Peter Lopez, Daniel Lopez. and many nephews, nieces, and other family and friends. The family wishes to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and Nurse Techs of Espanola Presbyterian Hospital and Ambercare Hospice who cared for her. A rosary will be recited on Friday July, 27, 2018 at La Iglesias de Santa Cruz de la Canada at 10:00 a.m. with a Memorial mass to follow at 11:00 a.m.  A private burial will be held at a later date. Pallbearer is Brandon Vigil with honorary pallbearers as Candice, Arianna, Megan, Amberly, Nathaniel and Kaune. The family of Marcella R. Lopez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley 505-747-7477 www.devargasfuneral.com