Angelina Perez Obituary

Longtime Durango resident Angelina Priscilla Gutierrez Perez died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, in Aurora. She was 81.

Known as "Angie," she was born to Benesealo and Soraida Cordova Gutierrez on July 18, 1932, in Lonetree, a small town 20 miles west of Pagosa Springs. She grew up in that area, spending much of her childhood in Tiffany and attending school in Ignacio.

She married Richard Perez in Durango, and after brief stays in Denver and Utah, the marriage ended in divorce in 1967. Mrs. Perez settled in the Durango area in 1969, where she remained until 2008, moving to Denver at that time to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Perez was very active in Durango, working with children and adults with disabilities and at Planned Parenthood. She spent numerous years as a volunteer for Southwest Safehouse, the local low-income housing weatherization board of directors and for Mercy Medical Auxiliary, where she was once recognized as volunteer of the year.

She thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and the mountains, her family said, and was active in fishing, camping and hunting. She loved spending time with family and friends and was a talented cook. According to family, "she loved to cook just about anything."

"Admired by just about anyone who had the privilege to meet her, Angie had a big heart and was always quick to think of others before herself, not hesitating to lend a generous hand and a prayer in times of need," her family said. "She taught by example and always offered her unconditional love to those who knew and loved her most."

Mrs. Perez was preceded in death by her daughter Mary Radden.

She is survived by her daughters Rickie Rojas of Aurora and Michelle Hackney of Reno, Nev.; sons Ron Perez of Aurora, Ken Perez of Centennial, Russel Perez of Denver and Gerald Perez of Santa Barbara, Calif.; sisters Ruby Perez of Bloomfield, N.M., and Theresa Baines of Denver; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Her brother Orlando Gutierrez of Cedar Hill, N.M., survived her but died a week later.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014, at St. Pius Catholic Church in Aurora. A service in the Durango area will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Condolences may be left at www.newcomerdenver.com.