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Eva Francis Lopez, 78, a resident of Rio Rancho, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2007. She was born January 23, 1929, in Long Beach, CA, the daughter of Rear Admiral Dennis Larkin Francis and Emily Roache Francis. She is survived by her husband, Fred Lopez, whom she wed in 1957; daughters Pia, Laura, Kathleen, and their spouses; son, Frederick; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She had a career of public service and volunteerism for 31 years in the Washington DC area and 22 years in New Mexico: secretary to Rep. Donald Jackson of California; officer of the Congressional Secretaries Club; secretary to House Committee on Science and Astronautics; caseworker for Sen. Joseph Montoya of New Mexico; senior secretary at the National Academy of Sciences. She was a PTA president, organizer of charity events and church choir member. She retired in 1985 to New Mexico, Fred's home state, where she worked for the Bernalillo County Housing Department; served on the Retired Senior Volunteer Program Advisory Council; founded the St. Thomas Aquinas Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Rio Rancho, providing assistance for people in need; was a founding member and president of the Rio Rancho Community Action Council. She was active in the Rio Rancho and Sandoval County Democratic Clubs. She loved poetry, playing cards, singing, playing the ukulele and telling stories of her Irish ancestors. She touched those around her with her warm heart, big smile, boundless optimism, deep faith and strong sense of justice. A Memorial Mass will be held 11 a.m. Friday, April 27, 2007 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1502 Sara Rd., Rio Rancho. Rosary will be 7 p.m. Friday at Block-Salazar Mortuary, 305 Salazar St., Espanola. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2007 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at San Juan Pueblo, with interment at San Rafael Cemetery, El Guique. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Rio Rancho, 1502 Sara Rd., Rio Rancho NM 87124.
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