Maria Evangeline "Vangie " Lovato was taken gently from this earth into the beloved arms of her dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on November, 19th, 2021.

Vangie passed peacefully at her home in the loving care of her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.

Vangie was an accomplished hairdresser, an amazing homemaker, cook, baker, and gardener. She enjoyed traveling both nationally and internationally.

Vangie was a pillar in her local church, Saint Therese and in her community. She participated in the church choir, singing and playing her guitar for many years.

Vangie was instrumental in raising funds for her church community by sponsoring two fiesta queens, working and providing food at the annual church fiestas.

Because of her many decades of dedicated service to her local church and community, Vangie was recognized and honored by her parish priest, Reverend, Vincent Paul Chavez, and the Archdiocese in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Here is what Reverend Chavez had to say about Vangie.

Vangie is from the shrine of the little flower Saint Teresa of the infant Jesus in Albuquerque. Vangie is a longtime member of the parish. She and her husband, John, raised three daughters and are blessed with many grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Vangie inhabits her beautiful name that means "the one who brings good news "-The one who brings the good news of the holy gospel!  She attends the Eucharist daily and has been faithful singing and guitar playing on Sundays in the choir. Vangie, like Martha of Bethany, has let her much-needed cooking talents in the yearly Fiestas and has generously supplied many delicious baked goods for fiesta fundraising. Vangie retired from a career of hairdressing. She was very sensitive to the needs of her elderly clients in the north valley of Albuquerque. For many years, Vangie devotedly visited these clients when they were sick, in the hospital and at their deathbed. Her charity was extraordinary when she helped to prepare and dress the bodies of the deceased and to groom their hair. Like Mary of Magdala, she lovingly prepared the body of Christ for the tomb. Vangie has imitated the acts of charity like our holy patron, Saint Theresa who said," to take advantage of all the littlest things and do them out of love". We are blessed to have her in our parish.

Vangie demonstrated her gifts of service and hospitality in her church community and her family with great love and compassion!

Vangie was an amazing homemaker, cook, baker and gardener. Because of all her travels throughout the United States. Vangie learned how to prepare various types of cuisine. From Italian, Cuban, Cajun, and of course New Mexican food, they were all her specialties and favorites to prepare for her family. Needless to say, her family never missed a good meal! In addition, not just her family, Vangie shared her meals with friends, neighbors, coworkers her church family and community.

Every Friday evening for several years, Vangie would prepare a large bowl of sweet rice to take to the local senior center.

Her baking skills were just as tasty and amazing! People from around her community and circle would always ask for her delicious sweet breads, biscochitos, empanaditas, and pastalitos.

Vangie took classes on how to bake and decorate elaborate wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and sweet candy treats. In fact, she baked and prepared wedding cakes, birthday cakes for many family members and friends.

Vangie's talents were not limited to the kitchen, if anyone had a green thumb, it was Vangie. She could plant and grow the prettiest roses, and many other types of flowers, shrubs and trees. She really enjoyed working out in her yard to make it look pretty and inviting.

Vangie was an accomplished hairstylist. She attended Beauty College in Laramie, Wyoming, and was awarded her Cosmetology License. Soon after, she began her career at Verns Beauty Shop in Laramie, Wyoming.

After the families move to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1971, Vangie wasted no time and began working in her field. Vangie went to work for Gilbert Chavez, at Gilbert's Hair Fashions in the North Valley.

Little did she know this would become a lifelong journey that would result in lifelong friendships with the Chavez family. In fact, Vangie always referred to Gilbert and his family as part of her family!

Eventually, Vangie went on to become a master hairstylist and was always looking for unique and creative hairstyles, for men, women, and children.

Vangie was dedicated to her career and to her clients. She was hard working, reliable, trustworthy, and faithful. She always gave 100% and more! Vangie worked at Gilbert's Hair Fashion's for 41 years and then retired in 2016.

Vangie had many friends and acquaintances. However, she had a close and dear friend, Dora Saiz. They were like two peas in a pod; you would find them working alongside one another at church fiestas, and other church functions. Many times you would find them dining at the Cracker Barrel one of their favorite places to dine. At other times, you would find them jumping from one yard sale to another in the hopes of finding simple treasures. The Saiz family is yet another family Vangie adopted as part of her family.

There was so much more Vangie accomplished in her lifetime. For example, she ran and operated a successful skin care and cosmetics business with the Mary-K organization for many years. Vangie took floral arranging classes, and she took pride in decorating her home to make it beautiful and inviting.

An individual does not live 84 years without encountering hardship, heartache, and heartbreak.  Vangie had her share. However, because of her great faith and fortitude she was able to persevere through the difficult seasons in her lifetime. Vangie lived her life with passion, perseverance and purpose, and fulfilled the beautiful plan the Lord purposed in her heart and in her beautiful hands so many years ago.

Vangie was born on December 9, 1936, to her parents Bernabe and Paulita Lucero, in Buena Vista, New Mexico. She was one of five siblings. Vangie often shared stories of her childhood growing up in Northern New Mexico. Playing with her brothers and sisters, helping to plant and harvest the family garden, and visiting nearby aunts, uncles and cousins.

Vangie graduated from Mora, High School, and she was a "Rangerette" Cheerleader for the basketball team.

On February 14, 1958, destiny would have her way. When Vangie met her husband, John Lovato, a young man from Holman, New Mexico, who would come to be the love of her life, and husband of 64 years. They met at a Valentine's Day sweetheart dance, in Mora, New Mexico.

I am not sure if it was John's great dancing skills, his good looks, or charm, perhaps it was Cupid working overtime, it was definitely a magical evening! Soon after, they were married, and left Mora, New Mexico to explore and travel the world together, and to fulfill their hopes and dreams and build a lifelong life together.

Their early years were filled with much travel and adventure. They traveled and lived throughout the West Coast, Midwest, Southwest, and as far south as Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Together they were blessed with three daughters Loretta, Danette and Johnna.  As the children began to grow up John and Vangie realized it was time to settle down in one-location and plant roots. In 1971, John and Vangie moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where they raised their family.

Vangie's golden years were spent traveling internationally as well. She traveled to Canada, México, Germany, throughout Japan, and Spain.

Vangie also enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends. On occasion, you could hear Vangie recount stories of her childhood, growing up in the beautiful mountains, of Buena Vista, New Mexico, and telling of her experiences and adventures during her traveling days.

Vangie's parents, Bernabe and Paulita Lucero, and her sister Natividad, "Nat" Pando, have preceded her in death.

Vangie is survived by her loving husband, John Lovato, of 64 years. Children: Loretta, husband Marty Mondragon, Danette Lovato, and Johnna Lovato.

Grandchildren: Marla Gallegos, Stepheny, husband Noel Beauchamp, Infania Pimentel, John Pimentel, Rachael Pimentel, husband Danny Ramirez.

Ashley Anaya, Eddie Alcala and Sonya Anaya.

Great grandchildren: Domanic Alcala, Leo Alcala and Daniel Isaiah Ramirez.

Sister:  Helen husband John Espinoza,

Brothers: Tranquilino "Frank" Lucero, wife Elva

Leopoldo "Leo" Lucero, wife Katie.

Vangie is also survived by numerous family and friends whose lives' she touched, and who will all miss her dearly.Thank you all once again for allowing me to share a glimpse into the life of this beautiful, amazing and remarkable human being, my mom, your friend Vangie. The Lord truly blessed the work of her beautiful heart and hands. Vangie took advantage of all the littlest things and did them out of love.

A public visitation will be held on Thursday December 09, 2021 from 3-4 PM at Direct Funeral Services, 2914 4th St. NW., Albuquerque, NM 87107.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for immediate family members only. Services will be live streamed for those who wish to view the service online.  To join online go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075245874767 .