Marie Hilda Irene Perez, 74, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 12th, 2024, after several years of battling Cancer. Marie was born April 26, 1949, in Gallup, New Mexico to Jose Miguel Perez and Maria de la Luz Galindo. Marie was married to Danny Lopez for 21 years and was a proud mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt. Before having children, she attended beauty school in Las Cruces, New Mexico and had an eye for fashionable hair styles.
As her children were growing up, she became a proud baseball, softball, and soccer mom. She never missed a game and was one of the loudest parents cheering on her children. Her most joyful moments were when her grandchildren were born, and she became a devoted grandmother instantly.
Marie had a love for Southwestern art, music, food, fashion, and jewelry. She always looked amazing in her cowgirl boots and cowgirl hat at family functions or dancing with her friends at the Caravan on a Friday or Saturday night. The senior center in Barela's was one of her favorite places to eat breakfast and had many friends there too. Being an excellent cook was one of Marie's specialties, especially New Mexican Cuisine. She made the best tamales on this side of the Rio Grande, and everyone craved them during the holidays. Because she was such an excellent cook, she had grand expectations when it came to food. She made it known if the food was not good at any home or restaurant she ate at. She was so comical in her own way and always made everyone laugh, even if that was not her intent. Not only was she a good cook she was an excellent seamstress. She enjoyed picking out fabrics and patterns to make clothes, Halloween costumes and doll clothes for her daughter, granddaughter, and nieces.
Marie was a devoted Catholic in her faith. Her life was a living example of her favorite bible verse, Ephesians 4:32- "And be kind and compassionate to one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ." Marie may not have had much, but what she did have, she was willing to give. She was filled with love and compassion but was not afraid to tell you how she felt. She was respected in that regard for her bluntness and never sugar coated anything, she told you how it was. Her spirit was bold, and it was always an honor to be in her presence. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Jose (Pepe) and Maria (Lucy) Perez; her sister, Frances G. Salas; her nieces, Loretta Salas-Gamertsfelder, Francine Salas and Stephanie Salas; her nephew, Jason Omanson and by her beloved grandson, Ryan Saavedra Jr.
Her memory will be cherished by her loving children, Ceasar Lopez, Danielle Saavedra and husband Ryan Saavedra of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her cherished grandchildren, Marissa Saavedra and Mateo Saavedra. In addition, Marie leaves her loving great grandchildren, Jameson Andres Garcia and Anastasia Ryanne Garcia. She also leaves her devoted brother and sisters, Mike and Ella Perez of Sedona, AZ, Leah Alice and Lloyd Guillory of Kirtland, NM, Sylvia, and Benny Kjaer of Albuquerque, NM. In addition, she also leaves behind her brother-in-law, Celestino Salas; her many loving nieces and nephews including Cathy Salas-Baransky, Hector Salas, Alverez Perez, Maria Perez, Tiffani Stanage and Heath Guillory. In addition, her great nieces and nephews include Angela Salas, Aaron Salas, Alicia Marie Osborne, Gary Raymond Gamertsfelder, Gabrielle Lopez, Dylan Baransky, Chris Baransky, Tiana Guillory, Lauren Stanage, Sari Omanson and Luke Omanson. She also loved her great-great nieces, nephews, cousins and all the many friends she made over the years.
Marie was not a fan of saying goodbye at social gatherings, so we leave off with a quote, "Goodbye is not forever, it is not the end. It simply means I will miss you until we meet again."
Please join us in celebrating her life with services at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 5415 Fortuna Rd. NW. on Monday, March 25, 2024. The Rosary will be recited at 10:15 am. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am with a reception following in the Parish Hall. A private family burial will take place at a later date.