Maria Louisa Pilar (Griego) Lovato, a resident of Peralta, NM, passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the age of 93, at home in the loving care of her family. Louisa was born in February of 1917 in Peralta, NM. She was the tenth of 15 children born to Eduardo and Margarita Romero Griego. Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Lovato, Sr.; her parents; and her siblings, Adolfo Griego, Adelaida G. Alderete, Eufemia G. Armijo, Hilario Griego, Adelina G. Torres, Senaida G. Sanchez, Antonia G. Armijo, Clorinda G. Barba, Eduardo Griego, and Lorenzo Griego. Louise is also survived by one remaining and beloved sister, Mela Jaramillo, of Belen; and sister-in-law, Josephine Griego; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Louise was the mother of one daughter, Consuelo (Connie) and her husband, Jose Villarreal, Jr., of Los Lunas; and four sons: Richard Lovato, of Los Lunas, Edward Lovato and his wife, Betsy, of Rio Rancho; Jack Lovato, Jr., and his wife, Dolores, of Los Lunas and Jose Sylviano Lovato and his wife, Betty, of Los Lunas; Her children blessed her with 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild, who were all very special to her. Louise graduated from Los Lunas High School in 1933 and was honored to be Salutatorian. Her first job after graduation was for Mrs. Pacheco, a teacher at Peralta Elementary where she herself attended as a young girl. She was so proud to have been hired by Ben Otero at the PMA, Department of Agriculture, where she worked for many years and ultimately retired from Federal service after 25 years. Both Louise and her husband, Jack, also worked at the Los Lunas Hospital & Training School for many years. Louise raised her family of five in Los Lunas and Bosque Farms. Her greatest love was her family. From large gatherings in her home during the holidays to a simple drop-in visit by any of her children brought out the pots, pans and "comal" to make tortillas, because it was always time to cook something good for her family. The simple pleasures of family life rooted in her deep Catholic faith were enough to sustain all of us to this day. Louise loved her "jardin" (garden) and always remembered those long ago days of helping her dad in his big jardin in Peralta. She would venture outdoors "en las mananitas" (early morning) to tend to and talk to her "matitas" (little plants) so they could grow big and strong just like her children. Hunting and fishing trips would find her and our father piling us all up into an old station wagon to travel to the mountains and meet our many, many cousins for an outing. These words are not original but speak clearly of our mother. "A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence." It is wisely said that "Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street... She's the cool on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized into every tear drop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heart break, and nothing on earth can separate you." The family wants to give special thanks to the kind and caring staff at Ambercare of Belen who helped us take the last journey with our Mother. Jeanette, Pam, and Krystal made the journey more bearable. Special thanks to Father Doug and Father Ifele, Deacons Jim, Paul, and Bob, as well as the staff of St. Clement Catholic Church, who were sources of guidance and comfort. All services will be held at San Clemente Catholic Church, beginning with a viewing at 6:30 p.m., on Sunday, January 16, 2011 with a rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. A final visitation will be held on Monday, January 17, at 8:30 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at San Clemente Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Edward Lovato Jr., Adam Lovato, John Paul Lovato, Jacob Lovato, Damian (Beaver) Lovato, and Ronnie Silva. Honorary Pallbearers will be Suzette L. Martinez, Catherine A. Dalton, Barbara L. Gassman, Elaine Lovato, Deanna Marquez, and Roberto Lovato. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to the charity of your choice or to St. Clement Church, P.O. Box 147, Los Lunas, NM 87031. Sign Louise's online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.
Published on: Sat January 15, 2011