Gloria V. Lopez left her family and friends to return home to the Lord on Thursday, June 6, 2019. Gloria was born in Villa Hidalgo, Mexico on Jan. 11, 1934, to parents Refugio and Maria Jesus Valencia. She had 85 wonderful years filled with love, laughter, and family. Gloria was dedicated to her church at St. Joseph’s Parish and very devoted to her faith.
Gloria was raised in Mammoth, AZ with her five siblings. It was a special night at a dance where she met her Corazon of 60 years, Ynez “Nechie” Lopez. Nechie didn’t waste any time and married his one true Corazon on Nov. 29, 1958 and started their family. Gloria raised her three daughters, Anna, Lydia and Carol. She was blessed to be with her daughters and share in their accomplishments, but the time came for her grandchildren Angelica, Marisa, Jacque, Thomas, Helene and Robert “R.J.”, Alejandro “Jando”and Joaquín “Kino”. She was a proud Nana who spoiled them with food, coffee, cookies and love. As much as she showered her grandchildren with her love and attention nothing compared to seeing her express her admiration for her great-grandchildren, Pedro, Ismael, Maribel, Ezra, Keiston, Kolton, Serena, Orlando, Kendall and Leighton. She made it to all the events to cheer and support the people she loved. The selfness never ended, Gloria helped raised her niece Stella Manriquez as their fourth daughter, although she did not have any sons, Stella’s sons Randy, Anthony and Gloria’s baby Daniel Manriquez were there every day receiving all her heart and soul. Her touch, her embrace and the feeling she radiated will be forever missed.
Gloria was a woman who was active in the community. Many nieces, nephews and friends to her children and grandchildren were given the amount of love and energy she shared with her own. She was proud of every accomplishment that was made but nothing beats her love for watching those she loved play sports. In attendance to games at home and a far, she was there cheering them on. Her green chili meat became legendary for the Hayden Schools sports program and the recipe and tradition has been carried on by her daughters and grandchildren. Her love and affection were shown through her time teaching how to cook, her morning coffee ritual, her endless supply of sugar free candy, the snacks she picked special for every child and ice cream on hand for everyone that walked through her doors.
Gloria joins her parents Refugio and Maria Jesus Valencia, her brothers Luis, Raul and Ignacio Valencia, her sister Josephine Carrillo, her granddaughter Angelica Guzman, and nephew Randy Manriquez. She is survived by her husband, Ynez Lopez, and sister, Maria Jesus Borboa. She is also survived by her daughters, Anna Guzman, Lydia (Thomas) Martinez and Carol (Jeronimo) Lorona; 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Gloria will be remembered as a strong, generous, loving, kind and remarkable women. We follow in your footsteps and love you more, “Como dicen tu Nina Fina”
Services for Gloria will be held Friday, June 14, 2019 at St Joseph’s Parish in Hayden. Visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m. followed by Rosary at 10 a.m. and Mass will follow at 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest after services at Mountain View Cemetery in Hayden.
Services are being provided by Griffith Mortuary.