1925-2014Lillie Lobato, longtime resident of the Pagosa Springs area, passed away peacefully at home on July 9 with her family by her side.
Lillie was born on Nov. 20, 1925, to Ben and Feliciana Gurule in Lumberton, N.M. She met the love of her life, Joe Santiago Lobato, in Pagosa Springs; they were married on Aug. 17, 1953. They were married for 55 years before God called her beloved Joe home.
From this union they were blessed with five children: Martha, Vangie, Rick, Susie and Inez.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Feliciana Gurule; her husband, Joe S. Lobato; her sisters, Stella Gallegos, Ida Enriquez and Clarita Gurule; a grandson, Joseph Wayne Winter; and her nephew, Tony Gallegos.
She is survived by her children, Martha Avera (Tom), of Morrisville, N.C.; Vangie Martinez (Alfred), of Flora Vista, N.M.; Rick (Stella) Lobato, Susie Montoya (Mel) and Inez and Dan Winter, of Pagosa Springs. She is also survived by her niece, Ruby Carrillo, whom she and her husband considered one of their own.
She was blessed with 15 grandchildren: Valerie Anaya, Alexis Goble, Jessie Abeyta, Tammy Sanchez, Marlene Abeyta, Tiffany Wykoff, Alfred Martinez Jr., Jennifer Lobato, Taylor, Megan and Travis Loran, Meghan Montoya, Miranda Velarde, Ashli Stretton and Gabrielle Henderson. And one of her greatest blessings were her 20 great-grandchildren: Esaia, Claudia and Corrina Anaya; Jarred Komyati; Jacob Goble; Jessiny and Jessin Abeyta; David Redwine; Davon Abeyta; Dominick and Raymundo Granados; Bobbie Sanchez; Evan Wykoff; Ashton, Ethan and Anika Velarde; Kyler Henderson; and Madisen, Hannah and Benjamin Stretton. She is also survived by sister-in-law Eliza Lucero, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Lillie was a very strong and faithful woman; she fought renal failure for many years with diligence.
Her greatest achievement in life was being a wife, mother and grandmother. She cherished every second that she spent with her family. She always put her family before herself. She will be dearly missed by everyone who loved her.
Her rosary will be recited on Sunday, July 20, at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be will be celebrated on Monday, July 21, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Pagosa Springs. Interment will follow at Hilltop Cemetery.
Her husband’s ashes will be placed with her as they are now together for eternity in Heaven.
