Elma L. (Tafoya) Lopez

Lopez,  Elma L. (Tafoya)
beloved and dedicated mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend to many and a lifelong resident of New Mexico was called home to Heaven on Tuesday, January 19, 2016. Elma was born in Dexter, NM on May 4, 1928, to   Guillermo and Mabel (Ortega) Lucero and although an only child, was blessed to grow up surrounded by a large and wonderful extended family. Elma was employed by the Socorro Public Schools and New Mexico Tech until she retired in 1997. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and a parishioner at San Miguel Parish. Elma, never idle,  could be found baking, sewing, crocheting, planting, harvesting, roasting or peeling chile, tending to her flowers and garden, tossing bails of hay at the ranch, or digging in with the best of them shingling a roof or tiling a shower wall. She was a Do it Yourself pioneer. Elma's greatest joy was spending time with her family. She had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and enjoyed practical jokes whether she was on the instigating end or receiving end.  Elma is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband of 16 1/2 years, Ramon M. Tafoya; and her second husband of 16 years, Felix Lopez.  Elma is survived by her children, Camelia Allen (Larry), Christene Tafoya, Bill Tafoya, and Michael Tafoya; step children, Joe Lopez (Carol), Lola Lopez, Terry Lopez (Lew Serna); grandchildren, Daniel Allen (Tanya), DeChantal Jordan McGinn (Chris), Philip Jordan, Xavier Jordan, Daniel Lopez (Yesenia), Victoria Lopez, Chris Lopez (Monette), Carlos Lopez (Mindy), Bernadette Ulibarri (Tommy), Rosa Armijo-Pemble (Brandon), Julian Armijo, Jessica Lopez; 18 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews; and her loving caregivers whom she loved deeply and for whom the family is eternally grateful, Mildred Cifuentes Sandoval, Jose Sandoval, Alejandra Diaz, Audelia Diaz and Enriqueta Valenzuela. Last but not least, Elma's dog, Mia, who was always just a hop, skip and a jump from her lap.  A viewing will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Daniels Family Funeral Home-Socorro Chapel. The Holy Rosary will be recited on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 10:00 am at San Miguel Catholic Church, 403 El Camino Real, Socorro with the Mass of Resurrection to follow at 10:30 am. Celebrant is Father Edgar Sanchez. Burial will take place at San Miguel Cemetery following the service. Pallbearers are Daniel Allen, Daniel Lopez, Julian Armijo, Philip Jordan, Xavier Jordan and Will Tafoya. Honorary Pallbearer is Ric Tafoya. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given in Elma's honor to the Socorro General Hospice Program or the NM Chapter Alzheimer's Association. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com  
Daniels Family Funeral Services
309 Garfield St
Socorro, NM 87801
575-835-1530