Maria Claudia Eufelia Espinoza

March 5, 1916 - May 16, 2020

Ft. Garland resident Maria Claudia Eufelia Espinoza, 104, went to her eternal rest on May 16, 2020 at the Evergreen Nursing Home. Eufelia was welcomed into the world on March 5, 1916 in Los Sauces, Colorado, the daughter of Candido Salazar and Maria Eugenia Gallegos Salazar. She was united in marriage to the love of her life Jose Manuel Perfecto Espinoza and the two shared a long and loving union until his passing. Eufelia and her husband owned and operated the Big Heart Cafe in Ft. Garland for 20 years. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren, cooking, gardening and caring for her flowers, plants, cats and dogs and praying the rosary. She loved the time she spent with her family and friends. She will live on through her daughter Connie (Maggie) Duarte of Ft. Garland, CO; son Robert (Debra) Espinoza of Ft. Garland, CO; 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, numerous great-great-grandchildren, sister Priscilla Lucero of Pueblo, CO; brother Lupe (Hidoko) Salazar of Denver, CO; sister-in-law Irene Salazar of Pueblo, CO. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Eufelia was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jose Espinoza, daughter Antoinette Eleanor Espinoza, siblings Antonio (Miguel) Gallegos, Eliosa (Ernesto) Naranjo, Angie (Pablo) Lopez, Victoria (Melico) Sandoval, Elvira (Adolpho) Marquez, Candido Salazar and Eusebio (Addie) Salazar. Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday from 1-5 PM at the Romero Funeral Chapel in Alamosa. A Prayer Service officiated by Ezekiel Solis will be held on Friday at 7:00 PM at the Romero Funeral Chapel in Alamosa. A Vigil Service with Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Ft. Garland. A Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 10:30 also at Holy Family Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Ft. Garland Cemetery. To leave online condolences please visit romerofuenralhomes.com. The care of arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of Alamosa.