Rita M. Lopez

Rita M. Lopez

09/25/1935 - 10/05/2026

Rita (Peters) Lopez, 91, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2026, after living a beautiful, full life. She was born and raised in Bellwood, NE, a place she loved dearly and spoke of often. She later moved to Rawlins, WY, where she met the love of her life, her husband of 53 years, Salvador Lopez. Rita and Sal, raised 6 children and lived in Rawlins, Wyoming; San Francisco, California; Upland, California; Kennewick, Washington; and Denver, Colorado. She was the matriarch of a large family of which she was immensely proud: 6 children, 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Chris Lopez; husband, Salvador Lopez; 2 sons-in-law, Eric Cox and Roger Armstrong; parents, Clarence and Margaret Peters; 4 sisters, 4 brothers, 4 sisters-in-law, and 5 brothers-in-law. She is survived by 5 of her children, Beth Alvarado (Alex Alvarado), Tim Lopez (Sandy Cooper), Jeff Lopez (Adrienna diAmico), Cathy Lopez, and Teri Driskell (Eric Driskell); grandchildren: Eric Morrissey, Miguel Lopez, Cristina Morrissey, Sean Morrissey, Drew Morrissey, Larissa Lopez (Ian Cook), Leah Lopez, Toni Lopez (Erick Villalobas), Jill Lopez (Ben Bishop), Alden Hattlestad, Philip Powers, Carmylla Powers, Zachary Cox, Elijah Cox, John Driskell, and Maya Driskell; great-grandchildren: Levi Trout (Hailey Trout), Isaiah Lopez, Jacob Lopez, Keegan Parker, Kylie Parker, Riddick O'Farrell, Ronan O'Farrell, Sally Cook, Rita Bishop, and Paloma Bishop; great-great-grandchildren: Emerson Trout, Ellis Trout, Atlas Lopez, and Quinn Parker. Rita is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, and endless friends. Rita loved fiercely and dedicated her life to serving others. The majority of her career was spent in education. Her students were like her second children and often stayed in touch with her long after graduation. She took in every feral animal and every child who needed her. She was the definition of an incredible human, and if you knew her, you loved her. She loved you right back. She was the epitome of how we all should care for one another and for the world around us. Rita will be forever missed by so many. She is now dancing with her pal, Sal, and smiling down upon all of us. Thank you, mama, grandma, and friend, for always being our guiding light. Rest in peace.