Virginia Alvarez Montoya…March 26, 1934 – December 18, 2016

A Memorial Mass for Virginia Alvarez Montoya will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Las Animas, Colorado. Father Henry Wertin will officiate. A Rosary/Scripture service will take place at 2:00 p.m., also at the church. Inurnment will follow at the Bent/Las Animas Cemetery in Las Animas, Colorado.

Virginia Alvarez Montoya was born on March 26, 1934 in Las Animas, Colorado to Bernardino and Romana (Villa) Alvarez and passed away on December 18, 2016 also in Las Animas, Colorado at the age of 82.

As a single parent of three children, Romina, Joseph, and Bernardina, she had unwavering support from her mom and dad. Our mother was a strong-willed woman who experienced many ups and downs in her life, but kept her head up high and overcame all obstacles. Her greatest sadness was the death of our brother Joseph in 2003. Although his passing left an empty spot in her heart, she was filled with pride in his accomplishments. Joseph served our country in the U.S. Army Airborne Division and was deployed to the Persian Gulf (Kuwait).

Called “Virgie” by her close friends, she liked to cook and eat Mexican food and she especially liked to make cheese enchiladas for her family. She catered meals in her spare time, and many people in Bent County sought after her catering services for their events and parties.

In her younger years, she enjoyed league bowling. Loving the competition as she rolled her silver speckled bowling ball down the lanes, anxiously awaiting a strike. She was employed at Fort Lyon for 34 years. Starting in Dietetic Service then making an epic move when she joined the Engineering Service as a painter and being the only female in a male dominated department. She loved her hob and made many long-lasting friendships, including John Duran, Moe Lujan, and her best friend, Jim Ovideo. Jim’s death impacted her immensely. Virgie went through quite an adjustment when she retired. As the years passed, and her health began to decline, her mind remained sharp, but her body was betraying her. Bernardina has always been by her side to assist her in all areas of her life and was her caregiver during the last few years that she was with us on this earth.

We will miss our mother, grandmother “Mimo”, and our friend, but we know she did not die alone. Gramma, grampa, Joseph, and Awelito were waiting for her with open arms under the big oak tree welcoming her to her heavenly home. A special thanks to Steve Ralstin, whom our mother relied on in her times of need.

Virginia is survived by her daughters, Romina (Rob) Robinson of Montana and Bernardina “Bernie” Alvarez Guder of Springfield, Colorado; brothers, Angel (Janet) Alvarez of California and Bernie Alvarez also of California; four grandsons, Toby (Kelli) Robinson of Montana, Jamie (Smitha) Robinson of Australia, Eric (Audrey) Trujillo of Missouri, Ryan Trujillo of Florida; four great granddaughters and one great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents, Bernardino and Romana (Villa) Alvarez; brother, Louis “Bogus” Alvarez; sister, Adela Alvarez; and her one and only son, Joseph Trujillo.

For more information, or to leave online condolences, please visit http://www.horberfuneralchapel.com