Lovelia "Lou" Serna Ronquillo

Lovelia “Lou” Ronquillo passed away peacefully in the care of her family in Jacksonville, Florida on October 28, 2015. She was 91 years old and had suffered with Alzheimers for many years. She was born at home on July 30, 1924 in the small community of Placitas, NM just outside of Hatch. She graduated from Hatch High School and shortly after married Antonio “Tony” Espinosa Ronquillo in 1944. They traveled immediately to Boston where Tony was serving in the Army during WWII. While there she worked in a wartime factory. Tony was later stationed in Hawaii and Lou returned to Hatch. After the birth of two children, the family moved to Albuquerque, where Lou began her long and successful banking career at First National Bank. She began as a data processing clerk and eventually rose to branch assistant manager. She retired in 1989. She filled her days making heirloom quilts for her family, working outside in her yard, and cooking food for family and friends who dropped by often. Her home drew many visitors, and the stove always had a pot of beans, chile, fideos, and tortillas ready to eat. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren remember eating homemade tortillas shaped like little boys and girls. They have only loving, humorous, and touching memories. She was preceded in death by her parents Luis Ballestero Serna and Secundina Aguirre, brothers Reynaldo and Paul, and sisters Dominica, and Antonia and her husband of 70 years Tony Ronquillo and their twin sons Tony and Tommy. She is survived by her sister Senaida Swall of El Paso, Texas. Her children: daughters Linda Montoya and husband Steve of Las Vegas, Nevada, Carmen Matson of Jacksonville, Florida, and son Rick Ronquillo and wife Marla of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her grandchildren: Belinda Labovitz and husband Brian, Adam Montoya, Leah Montoya, Marisa Guerrero and husband Andrei, Tore Matson and wife Traci, James Ronquillo, and Elise Ronquillo. Her great-grandchildren: Maura Guerrero, Andrew Guerrero, Alexander Labovitz, and Maxwell Labovitz. She will be very deeply missed by all who were touched by her love, kindness, and gentleness. Funeral services will be held in El Paso, Texas on Saturday November 7th at Sunset Funeral Home on 480 North Resler Drive. The viewing will be from 10am to 11am. Following an 11am memorial service, she will be taken to Hatch to be buried close to her parents and brother. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net