Maria Refugio Cornejo Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Our precious mother, Maria Refugio Cornejo, affectionately known as Cuca, 86, passed away on May 22, 2022. Maria was born to Jose and Josephina Flores in Union de San Antonio, Jalisco Mexico on July 4th, 1935. After her father’s death, at a young age, Maria took on many household responsibilities to help care for her younger siblings. Maria met Jose and married in 1955 in Maria’s hometown in Mexico. After their wedding they moved to Pueblo CO where they started their family. With five daughters and four sons, their household was always filled with energy and excitement. Maria had a gentle and loving grace raising such a large family and was always a source of stability and compassion. As her family grew so did her joy in spending time with them. She very much cherished Sunday family gatherings after church where she received many hugs and kisses from her beloved grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Caring for others is what she did best, and family was the center of everything she did. In her home, Maria always had something delicious cooking. It was one of her great joys to cook for her family, those that dropped in to say hello, and her community. An active member of Mount Carmel church, for many years she donated her time and cooking talents making Posole, gorditas, and agua frescas to the delight of all those who enjoyed her food. Maria’s amazing cooking was the inspiration for the family restaurant, Santiago’s, which she started with her husband Jose. Upon Jose’s retirement, the Cornejo’s continued to grace the community with Maria’s signature homemade tortillas through Burrito Joe’s. Maria had an amazing talent to recall recipes from memory and grew a vegetable garden with ingredients that she lovingly used in many of her dishes. She also kept a beautiful garden filled with many varieties of flowers that reminded her of her childhood. Preceded in death by her loving husband Jose, son Luis; siblings Leona, Benjamin, Juan, Epiphanio; son-in-law Fernando Lozano. She is survived by her children, Josephine (Antonio) Cornejo, Alicia (Francisco) Padilla, Jose (Della) Cornejo, Enrique Cornejo, Rosa Cornejo, Patricia Cornejo, and Andres (Dawna) Cornejo; grandchildren, Christina, Liliana (Carlos), Irene, Esmeralda, Olivia, Guadalupe, Nicholas, Miranda, Isabella (Damion), Olivia, Vanessa, Nathan, and Simon; 11 great grandchildren; siblings, Felipe, Martha, Lourdes, and Socorro; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as extended family and friends. Maria will be forever loved and deeply missed by those she leaves behind to cherish her memory. Viewing prior to service with Rosary, 9:30 am followed by Funeral Service, 10:00 am, Thursday, June 2, 2022, Our Lady of Mt. Caramel. Interment will follow, Imperial Memorial Gardens.

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Maria Refugio Cornejo

July 4, 1935 - May 22, 2022