Marcella Lopez

Marcella M. López, 93, beloved wife, mother, grandmother peacefully went to meet her Savior Jesus Christ Saturday, February 29, 2020.

Marcella was born to Evaristo and Gregoria Álvarez December 29, 1926 in Albuquerque, NM. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Juan C López June 30, 2019.  Also going before her to Eternal Life was her son, John K. “Kenny” López; newborn grandson, Nathaniel López; son-in-law, Paul Story; brother, George Álvarez; and brother-in-law, Al Villa.  Marcella is survived by her daughters, Diana López Story, Rosalie López de Spinello and husband, Jim Spinello; daughter-in-law, Leslie Pfeifer López; and sister, Pauline Villa.  Marcella is also survived by grandchildren, John “Jason” López and wife, Lisa, Nicholas López and fiancé, Maren, Ivy López Clippard and husband, Logan, Michael Spinello and wife, Alexandra “Alex”, Gabriel Spinello and wife, Gabrielle “Gabby”, Joshua Spinello and girlfriend, Andrea, Ariana Story and Aeriss Story and boyfriend, Oscar; great-grandson, Blake Story; great-great grandchildren, Gabriel, Ariana and Oliver; as well as many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and neighbors who will also miss Marcella.

Marcella was a devoted military wife while working full-time at Woolco Department Store for over 20 years as she raised her family and looked after her parents.  She was known for her kindness, her beautiful smile with red lipstick (rarely - if ever - seen without lipstick!), her earring collection and the way she matched her outfits to her earrings…or the other way around.  She and Juan enjoyed traveling on cruises and casino bus trips; but, most of all, they enjoyed traveling the country in their RVs to visit family or going camping and fishing in their boat…mostly to Heron Lake.  Marcella and Juan stayed active bowling, walking the mall, and serving at the Senior Meal Site at St. Bernadette’s into their late eighties.  Juan and Marcella’s family wishes to thank Valerie and her staff at Barelas Share Your Care for providing love, care and respite on a daily basis for almost 4 years.  We also wish to thank Hospice of NM – especially their nurses, Chasie & “J” and chaplain Dottie – for providing care, compassion and love for both Juan and Marcella over the last year and a half.

Marcella’s Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 5712 Paradise Blvd NW, 87114. Interment of cremains will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery @ 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:

St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org)

Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org)

Albuquerque Fisher House (www.fisherhouse.org)

Alzheimers Organization www.alz.org  Marcella’s tribute page