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Odella M. Lovato, born on November 23, 1920 in Cimmarron, New Mexico, went home to be with her sweetheart, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Thursday, September 28, 2000, after a long illness. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. Mom became a born again believer in her Savior at age 13 and had a lifelong love for the Lord. She experienced initial persecution for her new found faith from her older brothers and sisters, but eventually saw each one of them follow her example and come to the Lord. Her beloved mother, Sinforoza, died when mom was 13 years old and she went to live with her older brother, Tony and his wife, Lonicia, and later moved to Santa Fe to live with her sister, Sally. In Santa Fe, she met and married a handsome, young man from Cuba, New Mexico named Fidel Lovato, who like her, loved the Lord. Together they had seven children who they raised with true love and affection. Our parents set a wonderful example for us to follow in what it means to love God and family. Mom and dad had an adventurous life together. During WWII they lived in San Francisco, California, where their eldest son, David, was born. After the war they returned to New Mexico, first living in Dawson, then Santa Fe, where Carl was born. Later they moved to Albuquerque, where their daughter, Hope was born. After several years in Albuquerque, they took us to live in Santa Clara, Michoacan, Mexico, where dad worked for the U.S. Dept of Agriculture in the project to help Mexico eradicate hoof and mouth disease in cattle. When they returned to Albuquerque dad started his own painting contracting business and together they raised their growing family which came to include, in order of birth, a daughter, Annette and sons, Steven, Jimmy and Richard. We had many adventures together such as the times spent prospecting for uranium in the mountains around Cuba, or the campouts, or fun dad used to have driving the family up to grandma's on the snow covered mountain roads. After the untimely death of our dad in 1967, mom was remarried for a time to Bob Fort, but due to reasons known on to them, they later divorced. Mom then began her long carer as a single parent, raising her younger children. She got her GED and took training at the University of New Mexico to become a teacher's aide and began working at Valle Vista Elementary School in the south valley, where she worked until her retirement. She was known at Valle Vista as one who always had an encouraging word for the students and as someone they could turn to if they needed help or prayer. After she got older and retired many of the former students she worked with would recognize her, and with hugs and kisses, tell her how much she meant to them. Mom was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Sinforoza; her husband, Fidel; brother, Tony and wife, Lonicia, brother, Elmo; and her sisters, Rebecca, Mary and husband, Reno Briselli, Sally and husband, Joe Sanchez and Rosie and husband, Emery Sullivan. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Maclovia Lovato. She is survived by her children, including sons, David and wife, Pat, Carl, Steve, Jim and wife, Donna, and Richard and wife, Sandy; daughters, Hope Boyd and husband, Ron, Anette Franklin and husband, Stan. She is also survived by grandchildren, Carla Lovato, Rene Capetta and husband, Steve, Concha Lovato, Steven Lovato, Adrian Lovato, Ronnie Boyd and wife, Nicole, Jenny and husband, Richard Hobbs, Sherry Knisley, Mark Franklin, Katie Lovato, James Lovato, Nathan Lovato and Mary Lovato. She is also survived by special nephew, Frank (Pancho) Lovato who was raised almost as a brother to her and his wife, Alice and other great-grandchildren and nephews and nieces too numerous to mention. She is also survived by her neighborhood pals, Connie Lewis and Mrs. Mora and by former husband, Bob Fort. She will leave a big hole in our lives, but we know that in just a while we will see her again in Jehovah's eternal kingdom. Mom's special dream was to sit down at Jesus' feet by the river in heaven and spend time talking to the Lord. Mom was a faithful member of Western Heights Assembly of God Church. A special service in her honor will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, at the church, located at 6415 Sage Road SW. The family especially wishes to thank the nurses at Quality Continuum Hospice for their loving care and concern during her illness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her name to Quality Continuum Hospice, 2625 Pennsylvania NE, #225, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Gabaldon Mortuary, 1000 Old Coors Dr. SW, in charge of arrangements.
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