Teodorita “Tita” Ulibarri Aviña

Teodorita “Tita” Ulibarri Aviña, 84 of Aztec, NM returned to our Heavenly Father on April 27 ^th, 2023 in Farmington, NM. She was born in Middle Mesa, New Mexico on July 14^th, 1938, to Carlos Ulibarri and Brigida Salazar. She grew up in Allison, CO where she attended school at the “Bunk House” grades 1^st-6^th. She then attended 7^th grade through 9^th grade at Ignacio High School. Halfway through her 9^th grade year, her family moved to Goshen, UT where she finished her 9^th grade year. Her family later moved to Provo, UT where she finished her 10^th grade year. Her family then returned to Colorado, and she attended Bayfield High School for the remainder of her education and graduated from there in 1957.

She married Manuel Lucero in 1956 and gave birth to her first son, Dennis Lucero in 1958. She and Manuel divorced shortly after. She then gave birth to her second son, Leo E. Ulibarri in 1960. Later that same year she met Florian Abeyta, and they were married that September. In 1961 she gave birth to her daughter, Cynthia Abeyta and 16 years later she had her youngest son, Florian Abeyta Jr. They raised their children in Durango, CO. Tita enjoyed singing in the Spanish choir at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for many years. One of her favorite things to do was to go dancing. It was this favorite pastime that led her to meet her third husband. She met Romulo Aviña Leyva when she went to a dance her brother’s band was performing at. They were married in 1996.

She cleaned houses and took care of the elderly most of her life in Durango and Farmington. She had an amazing work ethic and took pride in her work. She was the housekeeper for the Ballantine family, the owners of the Durango Herald for many years. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, and talking to her family and friends over the phone. She also loved to go to the casino with her family and especially her friend, Donna.

She is survived by her sons, Dennis G. Lucero, Leo E. Ulibarri, and Florian A. Abeyta Jr.; former spouse Florian Abeyta Sr.; her sister, Dora Rivera; her brother, Juan Salazar; 13 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is proceeded in death by her parents; her husband, Romulo Aviña Leyva; her daughter, Cynthia Abeyta Puryear; her brothers, Manuel Ulibarri, Carlos M. Ulibarri, and Flavio Ulibarri; sisters, Cleotilde Corrales, Vicenta Garcia, Juanita Archuleta, Cordelia Gurule, and Cecilia Valdez.

All services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango, CO on Saturday, May 13^th, 2023 Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. and the Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. Tita will be laid to rest at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango, CO following the Mass. A reception will be held at the church hall at Sacred Heart Catholic Church following the burial. The Family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time.