Maria M. Alvarado

Maria Margarita Alvarado, 68, of Thornton, left us on January 31, 2017. She was born February 14, 1948 in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the town of San Ignacio, New Mexico to Nicolas and Bernarda (Fresquez) Montoya. Maria excelled and graduated from Brighton High School, class of 1966. Maria continued her education at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley before meeting and marrying her love and life partner Ernesto Alvarado September 6, 1969 at Saint Augustine Church in Brighton.

Maria resided in the Brighton-Fort Lupton area for the majority of her life. She was an asset of the Brighton community dedicating her services and skills as a director of the Brighton Housing authority for over 20 years. Helping to build the housing authority into a cornerstone of the community while providing genuine and heart felt service. Prior to her work at the housing authority she enjoyed working as a tutor in the Fort Lupton and Fort Collins school districts.

Love of her hometown lead to her enjoyment of being outdoors in the mountains, hiking, fishing and camping. She loved traveling across the world with her husband and cooking and sharing her traditional New Mexico cooking, with a love for New Mexican chile, with all loved ones. Providing a "home" for her loved ones was of great importance to Maria, her life was her husband, children and grandchildren. She was the most caring sister, loving wife, mother, and Nana. All will remember her selflessness, calming presence, angelic smile, soft voice and laughter as she touched every life she encountered.

Maria Margarita Alvarado is survived by her husband Ernesto Pascual Alvarado of Thornton; three children, Ignacio Pascual Alvarado (Beatris) of Thornton, Alma Maria Ross (Nathan) of Dolores, CO and Arturo Thomas Alvarado (Jamie) of Thornton; her brothers Joe Montoya, Alex Montoya, Lawrence Montoya, Pete Montoya, Leonard Montoya and Robert Montoya of Brighton and her sisters Alice Welch of Brighton, Marie Martinez of Thornton, Irene Flores of Brighton, and Dorothy Montoya of Brighton; four grandchildren, Maya, Isabella, Alessandra, and Tomas.

She is preceded in death by her beloved parents Nicolas Montoya & Bernarda Montoya (Fresquez), two sisters Marilyn Nedved (Montoya) and Charlene Montoya, nephew Gary Welch and niece Angelina Montoya.

The Rosary Service will be held on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 7:00pm at St. Augustine Catholic Church. A Celebration of life will follow on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 4:00-8:00 pm at the Knights of Columbus in Brighton.