Maria "Irene" Aragon Mascarenas

Maria “Irene” Aragon Mascarenas

Irene was born in Anton Chico, New Mexico to Michael Aragon and Adela Gonzalez Aragon on August 4th, 1936. She was one of eleven children. Life was hard in Anton Chico. They moved to Rocky Ford, CO to better their life when Irene was very young, Most of the family worked on the farm to contribute to the family.  Everybody worked hard, Irene and her brothers and sisters used this as motivation to better their lives. All of the family and their descendants forged successful lifes based on smarts and hard work. The family remained very close through the years.

In her teens, Irene began to forge her own life. She started work at the “Pickle Factory” in La Junta near her home. It was during this time she met her sweetheart, Theodore Paul Mascarenas. They soon married on August 10th, 1954, in Raton, New Mexico.

Irene and Ted began their life journey together, finally settling in Thornton. Their family was growing. First Debra, then Alan, then Beverly. Ted and Irene built a beautiful house in the west outskirts of Brighton. Irene had always taken pride in decorating and keeping her house immaculate. This was really showcased in the house they built together.

Irene continued to work through these years while raising her family. She retired from a career in manufacturing at AT&T Bell Labs/Lucent.  Retiring at an early age allowed her to follow her passion for traveling in the new RV with Ted. They experienced many fun adventures in different states and places, always with one or two grandkids in tow. 

Irene was an amazing cook. Everything, every meal was delicious! She passed this along to all her kids…and their sons and daughters. Every event had the most incredible food from Irene and those she taught. Each gathering is a feast. She provided so many festive gatherings through the years.  The holidays, Broncos games, or the infamous Halloween parties was Irene’s all at the heart of Irene’s entertaining spirit. She was never one to shy from a joke, sometimes even at the expense of others and herself.

Above all, Irene loved her family.  Her pride was never more evident than while boasting about the accomplishments of her three children, and especially her grand kids and extended family of nieces and nephews. They were truly her world. She was a remarkable daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, wife, and friend. She had a very close relationship with her brothers/sisters and the “in-laws”, CeCe, Dennis/Caroline, Abe/Lucy, and Tom/Elisa through the years.  Irene left this earth peacefully after a battle with liver cancer, surrounded by family, on October 10, 2023.

Irene is survived by her daughters Debra Mascarenas (Allen Wood), Beverly Bartholomew (Randy); son, Alan Mascarenas (Debbie Pacheco); brothers, Frank, Manual and Paul Aragon; sister-in-law, Cecilia Mascarenas; brother-in-law, Dennis Mascarenas (Carolyn); many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, her son, Baby Michael Eric, sisters, Flora and Faye, brothers, Arthur, Phillip, David, Freddy and Edward, husband, Ted, and grandsons, Donovan, and Eben. Join us for a celebration of life on  November 9, 2023 frome 12:00 to 3:00 pm at the Chateaux 13600 Xavier Lane, Broomfield, CO  80023

If you would like to make a donation, do not contribute to the Plant a Tree, please donate (℅ Maria Mascarenas) to the wonderful facility that provided such great care for Irene in the final days:

https://www.trucare.org/giving-back/ways-to-donate

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Maria "Irene" Aragon Mascarenas, please visit our floral store.