Eliza Lucero

Eliza Marie Lucero was surrounded by family and loved ones when she passed away peacefully at the age of 90, at her home in Pagosa Springs, on Friday, April 9, 2021. Born Eliza Marie Lobato on May 15, 1930 in Lumberton, New Mexico, she and younger brother Santiago Lobato, Jr. were the children of proud parents Santiago Sr. and Martha Lobato. She became Eliza Marie Lucero in 1951 when she married Clifford Egnacio Lucero. Clifford and Eliza shared 58 years together united in marriage, during which she was devoted to Clifford completely, caring for him right up to the very end of his life in February 2009. The family they created and raised together is a large, closely-bonded family, that stands today as one of the original, bedrock families of the Pagosa community.

Eliza Lucero, proud Matriarch, gave heart and soul to caring for and raising her seven children, each of whom love her deeply and appreciate the influence she’s had on their lives, not only as children but throughout adulthood as well. Throughout her almost 91 years, she never wavered from her Catholic faith, living her whole life as a dedicated and true servant of Christ. Her prayers and her strong belief have kept our entire family safe throughout the years and for this, we thank God.

She was funny and fun to be around, finding a way to touch us all with her sense of humor, kindness, generosity and positivity, and leaving a lasting impression on every single one of seventy (70) grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This is not an entirely sad occasion but also a celebration, for
Eliza lived vibrantly, and long enough to know four generations of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren – for that she is fortunate, and for that we are very thankful.

Affectionately known as “Grandma ‘Liza,” she is survived by a healthy cast of family and friends: Daughter Alberta and husband Steve Nickerson; granddaughter Gidget and husband Gus Marzella, great-grandson Sergio Marzella and great-great-grandson Vinny Marzella, great-grandson Adrian Marzella and great-great-grandson Aryian Marzella; granddaughter Antoinette and husband Daniel Rivas, great-granddaughter Caitlin and husband Brandon Carlisle and great-great-grandson Killian Carlisle, great-grandson Daniel Jr. and wife Brooke Rivas; grandson Makana Rothwell; son Bernie Sr. and wife Christine Lucero, grandson Bernie Jr. and wife Kelly Lucero, great-granddaughters Cameron, Morgan and Loren Lucero; granddaughter Abbey and husband Eric Alonzo, great-grandson Landon Lucero; grandson Corey and wife Shelby Lucero; son Guzman and wife Cindy Lucero; grandson Joshua and wife Jennifer Lucero, great-grandchildren Justen, Jared and Alayna Lucero; grandson Isaiah and wife Brittany Lucero, great-granddaughters Sedona and Summer Lucero; granddaughter Lyndsey and husband Buddy Rowell, great-grandchildren Leon Martinez, Luke Lucero, Dallan, Savannah and Brynlee Rowell; grandson Jacob and wife Ambur Lucero, great-granddaughter Maelee Lucero; daughter Madeline and husband Sam Ames; grandson Lorenzo Jr. and wife Angelica Cardenas, great-grandchildren Marcos, Alessandro and Olivia Cardenas and Jacob Griego; grandson Jimmy and wife Meredith Cardenas, great-grandchildren Carlos, Maya, Augustin and Violet Cardenas; grandson Esteban Cardenas, great-grandchildren Damian, Nayeli and Emilio Cardenas; grandson Don and wife Amber Ames, great-grandchildren Max, Lila and Ivy Ames; son Clifford Jr. and wife Gina Lucero; grandson Dominique and wife Natosha Lucero, great-granddaughters Diandra, Nadia and Donna Naomi Lucero; granddaughter Tricia and husband Michael Vega, great-grandchildren Aidan, Liana, Lillyan and Asher Vega; grandson Clifford Zachary and wife Elizabeth Lucero; grandson Kain Lucero; granddaughter Anissa and husband Zachariah Griego; son Jimmy and wife Elvia Lucero; daughter Lucille and husband Myron Stretton; granddaughter Shelby and husband Kyle Aragon, great-grandsons Blaine and Corbin Aragon; granddaughter Sienna and husband Robert Hunter, great-grandson Russell Hunter; grandson Nolan and wife Huntur Stretton; granddaughter Teagan Stretton; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends, all of whom she was very close to and loved very much.

Eliza is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Clifford E. Lucero; parents Martha and Santiago Lobato, Sr.; brother Santiago Lobato, Jr.; granddaughter Samantha Ames; and brothers-in-law Victor and
Jesus Lucero.

Rosary Prayer Service will be held at Eliza’s home in Pagosa Springs, at 6:00PM on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Funeral Services are planned for Friday morning, April 16, 2021, beginning at 9:00AM, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Lewis Street, in downtown Pagosa Springs.

The family would like to thank everyone throughout the community and beyond for your prayers and well-wishes, as well as Jenny Hemmiger from hospice for your care and commitment to our mother’s well-being.

Wife, Mom, Grandma, Tia, Friend; we miss you already, we love you forever, we forget you never. This is not ‘goodbye’ – God Bless your Soul in Heaven and God Bless your memory on Earth.