Margaret (Tia Huila) Lopez

Born: June 20, 1936 Passed: February 14, 2021

Our dearly beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Tia has passed into the eternal kingdom of heaven on Valentine's Day; the  celebration of love and affection.   She is preceded in death by the love of her life Ricardo L. Lopez, parents, brothers and sisters. Survived by her children; Cynthia De La Rosa (Joseph), Patricia Ranjel (Albert), Terri Jaurigue (Marty), Ricardo Lopez Jr.  (Martha) and Alicia Lopez, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Margarita was a loving, caring person. She instilled determination and courage in her children as well as her grandchildren.  Margarita was a creative seamstress and taught her daughters this art.  She learned to play the piano by ear and sang lovely songs. She made the most delicious meals and desserts. Margarita and Ricardo always took exceptional care of their grandchildren.

Although we are heartbroken, we know she is now in the loving care of our Lord and in the embrace of her husband and other family members for eternity.

Mama, thank you for all of the wonderful memories. Love you always and give our love to dad.

Mama had a tough early life. She had dreams of becoming a nurse in the Navy. That, of course, never came to fruition because the Lord had a different path for mom. This path would include hard work, sacrifice, determination, courage and love. First, the love of a good and very brave man, our dad, then, the love of her five children.

Mom and dad didn't have the opportunity to have a college education or to even finish their high school education; but, that never stopped them from continuing to learn from books, hard work and life's experiences. As a matter of fact; mom earned her GED and worked various jobs including one as a teaching assistant and another teaching English to adults.

We had a happy childhood; we were so well cared for. Mom and dad were determined that their children would have a better life than they did. Mom worked more than one job, as well as dad. That's a hard thing to do. We don't know how she did it but she always found the time to make us girls pretty clothes.  Dad would make sure brother Dickie had everything he needed too. We were supported in everything we did.

We came across several bumps in the road throughout our education; there were various times that mom put people in their place if anyone ever told us we would not be able to attend college. She not only told them we would go, if we chose to do so, but that she would be the first to help us find the grants and scholarships to get us there!!! We were so proud of her!

As young adults, it was wonderful coming home after work and/ or school to the smell of a hot delicious meal. Mom always saying, "Don't worry about anything, you can live here as long as you want."

When the time came to leave home and begin our own paths in life; our parents were always there to help us whenever we needed them. From being there when our children were born to helping to care for them while we were working.  Mom would have us stay with them when there was a health emergency. Nothing was too hard. She would see to our every need. Not that our husbands couldn't do it, but to SUPPORT our husbands in whatever ways they could.

So, later in life, there was no question that we would do everything we could do to support them. We all pulled together to help them with whatever we could do. I would like to thank my sister Patsy for her devotion to the care of our dad then our mom.  I'd also like to thank sister Alicia for her help as well this past year; even as she continued to work. Sister Terri, brother Dickie and I were usually working, but we were absolutely there when we were needed.

There were circumstances that may have prevented us from being together as often as we would have liked.  As we all know, life can take us in many directions.

We found ways to support each other though; from a smile to spending the day together. Nothing is insignificant as far as we're concerned. The bond of love and family is everlasting.

We learned that from mom and dad.

It's comforting to know that mom will be in eternal happiness now. See you again sometime in the future mama.

Hugs and kisses,

Your loving family

Due to restrictions from the COVID pandemic, the live services will be private.  The funeral mass will be livestreamed on Zoom at 10:30am on Thursday, February 25, 2021.  Follow the link here at that time:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5962025502?pwd=aGRrQ3pIZFdFQlJWL1liMlVVbjlvZz09