Dorthy M. Lopez

NORTH SANTA ROSA VILLAGE - Dorothy M. Lopez, 77, died on Oct. 30, 2015, at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Lopez home by the Rev. Bill Minkel. A wake will follow. Ma�anitas will be at 5 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be at 6:30 a.m. Saturday in Santa Rosa Southside Cemetery.

Mrs. Lopez was born on Aug. 12, 1938, in Big Field Village, the youngest daughter of Russell Saraficio and Guadalupe Geronimo. She graduated from St. Johns Indian High School in Komatke and went to work at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in Pasadena, California, run by Dominican sisters. After a few years she moved to Santa Rosa to marry Philip J. Lopez. She was a homemaker and raised a large family, instilling in her children devotion to the Catholic faith as well as traditional O’odham customs. She was a basketweaver, creating several exceptional baskets in her younger years.

She served on the Gu Achi District Council as a school board representative for Sherman Indian High School and as a Communion minister and leader for the St. Elizabeth Mission choir. She was a leader on many Cursillos and rectora for a few. She encouraged elders to participate and stay active and was a member of various elder groups including 4 Star Kwaliya, Maypole Dancers, Thriller Dancers and Senioritas and was active in elder game competitions.

Survivors include four sons, Camillus Lopez of Santa Rosa, Isidro B. Lopez of Anegam Village, Luterio A. Lopez of San Luis Village and Lucius E. Lopez of Ak-Chin Village, Tohono O’odham Nation; two daughters, Cynthia E. Manuel of Big Field and Kathleen Domingo of North Santa Rosa; a sister, Isabel Ramon of North Santa Rosa; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Philip J. Lopez; two sons, Waylon N. and Christopher J. Lopez; two brothers, Vincent and Mark Geronimo; and a sister, Cecilia Lewis.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.