DENVER, Colo. — Center resident Maria L. Mendez, 72, passed away on July 27, 2010 at the Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colo.

She was born on November 25, 1937 to Claude and Flora Lujan in Mora, New Mexico. She lived in the Center area for many years and worked in the potato business. She was involved in the Monte Vista and Alamosa Senior Citizens Centers. Maria enjoyed reading and gambling, she was a loving, caring person, an amazing mother and friend. She will be truly missed.

Maria is survived by her husband, Ramiro Mendez of Center, her children John Overton of Sargent, Linda Martinez of Denver, Irene Hernandez of Denver, and Peggy (Riley) Schwarz of Parker, as well as her mother Flora Lujan and Ramiro’s kids, Roger Mendez, Carolyn Mendez, Emma Mendez, and Rosita Mendez, also her grandchildren, John Trujillo, Victoria Bias, Gabriel Martinez, Ruben Hernandez, Michael Hernandez, Derrick Martinez, and Dominick Hernandez and great grandchildren, Wyatt Bias and Isaiah Jennings, as well as her siblings Rose (Richard) Madrid, Jake Lujan, and Lillian (Jake) Medina along with Ramiro’s 19 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father Claude Lujan and her sister Evelyn Gonzales.

The family wants to extend a special thank you to Cindy and Nancy for their loving attention and care.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday July 31, 2010 at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Center. Visitation will be held on Friday July 30 at Rogers Family Mortuary in Monte Vista from 2 to 4 p.m. and at the church prior to the Rosary from 6 to 7 p.m. A recitation of the Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday July 30, 2010 also at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Center. Interment will follow the services at the San Luis Valley Cemetery in Monte Vista.

Rogers Family Mortuary in Monte Vista is in care of the arrangements.