Dolores (Maestas) Lovato

Dolores Lovato, 88, of Albuquerque, NM passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones in her home on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Dolores was born in La Jara, NM on September 23, 1930 to Andres and Merenciana Maestas. She was one of the fourteen children. She attended high school in Cuba, where she graduated. Soon after, she met the love of her life, Frank Lovato. They were married on September 1, 1951. They started a family and were blessed with seven beautiful children. Dolores was very active in the Catholic Church. She was a member of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima. She enjoyed going to prayer on Tuesdays with her sisters. Dolores was very family oriented and enjoyed the company of her loved ones. In her spare time, she loved playing Bingo. She also loved going on family camping trips to La Jara and Rio de Las Vacas . She was also known to many as a great cook with a loving heart! She opened her home to so many and welcomed all with open arms. She will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law Mary Ellen, daughter-in-law Charlotte; son Xavier (Bella), son Wilfred (Yvonne); daughters,  Merencia (James),  Jacqueline Herrera, and  Lourdes Tafoya (Timothy);  and Lawrence Valencia who she considered a son; brother, Bennie; sisters, Lucinda, and Susie; 16 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Dolores is preceded in death by husband Frank Lovato; sons Gilbert Sr., Elmer; and son-in-law Michael Herrera; grandson Gilbert Lovato Jr., and Carlos Ray Maestas, who she raised as her son; brothers, Juan, Andres, Richard, Gabriel, Alex, and Frank; sisters, Nemecina, Maria, Petra, and Ella.

Pallbearers will be Steven Lovato, Joshua Lovato, Eric Lovato, Andres Lovato, Matthew Gutierrez, and Timothy Tafoya. The Honorary Pallbearer will be Eric Candelaria.