Dr. Lucia Dolores Guadalupe Rivera Aragon

Dr. Lucia Dolores Guadalupe Rivera Aragon, 73, passed away after a lengthy battle with many health dragons at her home on March 7, 2017. She was born Lucia Dolores Rivera on October 9, 1943 in Monterrey, Nuevo Léon Mexico, the oldest of four children born to parents Blasa Rodriguez Rivera and Juan Rivera. Lucia lived in Monterrey as a very young girl then moved to Pueblo, CO. She lived in Walsenburg, CO for six years but spent the rest of her life as a Pueblo resident. Lucia was a proud product of the Catholic School system attending St. Leander’s school and graduating from Pueblo Catholic High School in 1961. Lucia received degrees from Pueblo Community College A.A., Southern Colorado State College, B.A., New Mexico Highlands University, M.A., and the University of Colorado at Boulder with her Doctorate of Education. Lucia began her career in education working with Head Start and the Teacher Corps Program. She went on to teach at Washington Elementary and was a Principal at Morton and Bradford Elementary Schools in Pueblo, CO. While in Walsenburg she was the Bilingual Bicultural Coordinator for Huerfano School District and she also worked on the Oral History Project with Elaine Baker that was made into a play in 1980 called “Huerfano”. It was at Bradford Elementary School that Lucia (Dr. Martinez) felt she had truly come home. She loved her Eaglets and was happy to be working on the Eastside where she grew up. Lucia was awarded the prestigious Colorado Educator Award in 1989 by the Milken Family Foundation. She authored “Lucia: an Oral History spanning 1943-1996,” a memoir of her life. “Diosito Es Muy Grande,” her Dad Juan would say – It is to Diosito whom she dedicated her life. Without His help, strength and love, her journey would not have been possible. She also dedicated her life to her children whom she credited for being the impetus for her life, and the driving force behind her story of survival. She was so very proud of us! Lucia was very proud of her Mexican heritage, she was part of El Movimiento and a strong supporter of the Cinco de Mayo Committee, she loved Mariachi and Mexican music. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church, Las Comadres, an organization she co-founded, Fray Angelico Chavez Hispanic Geneaology Society, Alpha Delta Kappa – Iota Chapter. Her water walking communities at the Pueblo Athletic Club and the Y.M.C.A were also an integral part of her life. Lucia was preceded in death by her father, Juan Rivera; grandparents, Lina and Esteban Rodriguez, Dolores and Juan Rivera, Martin and Simona Rivera; aunt, Eutimia Vallejo, Leonor Caballero Martinez, Hortencia “Tenne” Saldaña, Evelyn Alderson; and uncles, Esteban “Steve” and Guillermo “William” Rodriguez; and cousin, Agustina Garcia. She is survived by her mother, Blasa Rivera; husband, Robert Aragon; and her uncle, Jesus “Jess” Rodriguez, all of Pueblo, siblings; Martha (Matthew) Yarusso, George (Kathryn) and Juan Rivera; children, Deann Pujol (Matt), Eric Martinez (Beverly), Monica Johnson, Stephanie Cork (Herb), Edmond Martinez (Michelle), Mark Martinez (Jenn), Cesar Rivera (Emily); Stepchildren, Darion Aragon (Georgia) Cindy (Bill) Turner, Karen Aragon, Nancy (Sharon) Aragon Falcone, Anna (Dave) Aragon; grandchildren, Bridgette Garcia, Mookie Martinez, Sean, Blaze and Jesse Rose Johnson, Brooke Tafoya, Aurora and Benjamin Martinez and Lia and Emmett Rivera; great grandsons, R.J. Encinias and Jairus Garcia; and great great granddaughter, Rosabelle Martinez; nephews, Christopher Yarusso, Johnny and George Rivera; nieces, Jenny Rivera Trujillo and Marla Manchego; as well as numerous other nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces/nephews. She maintained very close bonds with cousins, Leroy Rodriguez, Jim Rodriguez (Linda), Donald Rodriguez, Maria and Cecilia Saldaña, Ricardo (Judy) Caballero, Paul (Masumi) Rodriguez and Chavela (Eric) Vallejos; Norma (Don) Cordova; her best friend, for 66 years, Cindy Miller; Aunt Julia Manchego, Renee (Frank) Lado, Lydia (Manuel) Sanchez; and very dear family friends, Rosa Orozco and Frances Rivera as well as numerous other cousins, nieces, nephews, grand kitties, grand puppies and beloved friends. Viewing and Rosary will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 611 Logan Avenue, Pueblo CO at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017, and the Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment and Arrangements: Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Cinco de Mayo Committee, 607 Bellevue, Pueblo CO 81004 or to the charity of your choice.

Dr. Lucia Dolores Guadalupe Rivera Aragon

October 9, 1943 - March 7, 2017