Mariana Lopez
April 17, 1926 — January 23, 2022
On Sunday, January 23, 2022, Mariana L. Lopez passed from her earthly life to eternal life surrounded by numerous family members at her home. Mariana will be met not only by our Heavenly Father, but by her parents, Victoriano and Cruz Lara, and all of her siblings. She was born on the family farm in Berino, NM on April 17, 1926, and was the youngest of eight children. From farm girl...
On Sunday, January 23, 2022, Mariana L. Lopez passed from her earthly life to eternal life surrounded by numerous family members at her home. Mariana will be met not only by our Heavenly Father, but by her parents, Victoriano and Cruz Lara, and all of her siblings. She was born on the family farm in Berino, NM on April 17, 1926, and was the youngest of eight children. From farm girl to student at New Mexico A&M (now NMSU), she was the first of her family to attend college. It was at college where she met her husband, and the father of their nine children, Elias B. Lopez. She then went from college student to housewife and full-time mother. She eventually returned to college part-time to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Education degree (1972), and her Master of Education degree (1978). Mariana's zeal and passion in life were her dedication to her Catholic faith, her family, and her commitment to education. Although she obtained her official teaching credentials later in life, she began her teaching and mentoring at the family home with her family and their numerous friends. She always offered the comfort of her home, great advice and wisdom, while instilling confidence and motivation. She was a long time member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church, where she was a member of numerous committees and groups, most notably a member of the Catholic Daughters of America for over 50 years. She was also a religious educator for many years. During this time, she was an...
On Sunday, January 23, 2022, Mariana L. Lopez passed from her earthly life to eternal life surrounded by numerous family members at her home. Mariana will be met not only by our Heavenly Father, but by her parents, Victoriano and Cruz Lara, and all of her siblings. She was born on the family farm in Berino, NM on April 17, 1926, and was the youngest of eight children. From farm girl to student at New Mexico A&M (now NMSU), she was the first of her family to attend college. It was at college where she met her husband, and the father of their nine children, Elias B. Lopez. She then went from college student to housewife and full-time mother. She eventually returned to college part-time to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Education degree (1972), and her Master of Education degree (1978). Mariana's zeal and passion in life were her dedication to her Catholic faith, her family, and her commitment to education. Although she obtained her official teaching credentials later in life, she began her teaching and mentoring at the family home with her family and their numerous friends. She always offered the comfort of her home, great advice and wisdom, while instilling confidence and motivation. She was a long time member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church, where she was a member of numerous committees and groups, most notably a member of the Catholic Daughters of America for over 50 years. She was also a religious educator for many years. During this time, she was an English, Spanish, and English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor with the Health, Education, Livelihood Program, and the Peace Corps. She ended her teaching career retiring from the Las Cruces Public School System, teaching at Zia Middle School. She received numerous career, civil and religious awards. Mariana touched countless lives and hearts and was a friend, mentor, and mother to all who showed up at her doorstep, or classroom. She easily earned the respect, admiration and love by all that knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, her ex-husband Elias B. Lopez, daughter Lydia Vandiver, daughter-in-law Debra Lopez, grandchildren Phylis Lopez, Raymundo Romero, Ronnie Benavidez, and great-great grandson Jayden Lopez. Grandson Robert Palmer post-deceased her on March 7, 2022. She is survived by her children: Erma Nichols, Elias Lopez, Jr., Alfredo Lopez, Oscar Lopez, Carla Floyd (Guy), Dolores Lopez (Fred), Monica Dorr (Pete), Priscilla Romero (Roberto); grandchildren: Christopher Biscardi, Kerry Caldwell (Jon), Darci Blaschke (Russ), Jeffrey Meckfessel (Kelly), Joey Meckfessel (Porshia), Tammy Davis (Jimmy), Phillip Lopez (Feliz), Guy Wesley Floyd (Rachel), Leah Oglesby (Aaron), Jasmine Anderson (Kevin), Micah Benavidez (Lizette), Joseph Benavidez (Megan), Antonio Lopez, Robert Romero and Patrick Dorr; 21 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Many thanks to Arthur Berkson, MD and staff for their tireless care, Help at Home, LLC, and Mesilla Valley Hospice for their services. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite food pantry or the Catholic Daughters of America, Court Santa Cruz 1298, 3829 Stony Brook Circle, Las Cruces, NM 88007. Cremation has taken place and funeral services are scheduled for March 17, 2022, Visitation at 9:00 am, Rosary at 10am with Mass, and interment following in the columbarium at St. Genevieve Catholic Church, 100 S. Espina, Las Cruces, NM 88001 Service Information
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