Frutoza Lopez

FRUTOZA LOPEZ , age 93, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, October 10, 2020 in Espanola. Frutoza, known to many as Grandma Frutie, was born in Truchas, New Mexico to the late Primitivo and Rebecca Archuleta on June 9,1927.

Frutoza graduated from Menual High School then attended Highlands University. Her first job was teaching elementary school in Truchas. She married Aurelio Lopez in 1947 and together they raised 5 children. Frutoza became an excellent seamstress and gave many ladies in Truchas sewing classes through the HELP Program. She also helped many residents of Truchas earn their GED diploma. After Aurelio retired as a School Bus Contractor, Frutoza took over the Bus Contract and managed it for 4 years, as the primary driver for special needs children.

In 1992, Frutoza and Aurelio became the owners and managers of the Truchas Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast.  While running their business, they opened their hearts and home to many strangers from all parts of the World. They made countless friends that would return year after year for another week of their hospitality. Some of those guests kept in touch with her after 30 years.

Frutoza was an outstanding cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends, especially over the holidays, that were always at her home. Her greatest passion was to be outdoors working hand-in-hand with Aurelio gardening and tending to the fields and the cattle. Unfortunately, in 1996 Aurelio was fatally injured in a farming accident. Frutoza remained in Truchas taking care of the farm and the B&B until November 2011.

Frutoza was a devoted Christian and served as Treasurer for the Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church for countless years. She had an amazing ability with numbers and dates; people would call her to get a phone number as she had the Truchas phone book memorized. She never forgot a birthday or phone number, and she kept a sharp mind up until her last days.

Frutoza was preceded in death by her husband, Aurelio Lopez; her parents, three sisters, Lucy Archuleta, Olivama Martinez, Genoveva Nolan; her brother, Nelson Archuleta; mother and father-in-law, Faustino and Ninfa Lopez; brothers-in-law, Gregorio Lopez, Harry Nolan, Ernesto Martinez, Arthur Giron; sister-in-law, Asencionita Lopez and son-in-law, Ernie Montoya.

Frutoza is survived by her 5 children, Jake (Lisa) and family Bert, Julie and Jessica Hess (Bryan), Jerry (Camilla) and family, Jeremy, Dimitri, Sofia, and Lucas Lopez; Lori Lopez (David) and son, Diego Maestas; Eddie (Janet) and daughter, Holly Jaramillo (Jerome); and Lucille Montoya and daughter, Ana-Lisa Torres (Ron), and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her 3 brothers, Joe M. Archuleta (Josie), Sammy Herbert (Christine), Alex Archuleta (Ruby); 4 sisters, Louise Giron, Lydia Riley (Ralph), Irma Fernandez (Joe) and Diane Archuleta.

For the last ten years of her life, she required special attention; Jerry and Camilla opened their home for her as she moved into their mother-in-law quarters. The family would like to thank her caregivers, Socorro, Petra, Dolores, Angelica and Lori. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Bjorklund and Dr. Matthew McKinley for making countless home visits. The Presbyterian Home HealthCare and Hospice Staff were also very professional in attending to her needs during her last days. We would humbly like to thank those that visited her and brought much joy to her life. Frutoza left a trail of beautiful memories and her memory will live on forever.

Funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a private burial to take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date. Serving as pallbearers are Holly Jaramillo, Ana-Lisa Torres, Bert Lopez, Diego Maestas, Wally Archuleta and Lester Gutierrez. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Jessica Hess, Julie, Jeremy, Dimitri, Sofia, and Lucas Lopez; great-grandchildren, Jeannette Lopez, Savannah and Dylan Hess, Jalyssa Trujillo, Kristen (Andy), Amaya, Diego Jr., Sebastian and Isaiah Maestas, Michael Torres, Cloie, Sonya, and Kaléo Jaramillo and one great-great grandson, Liam Maestas-Lujan.

The family of Frutoza Lopez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of Espanola Valley.