Grace Mary Lorenzo

Grace Mary (DiDomenico) Lorenzo was born in Cansano, Italy on August 8th, 1913 to Frances (DelGuidici) and Joseph DiDomenico. In 1923, at the age of 10, she and her mother traveled from Italy to Trinidad, Colorado to join her father. In 1927 the family moved to La Junta and made it their home. She attended schools in Berwind, Frederick and La Junta, Colorado.

On July 12, 1935 she married Rocco "Rocky" Lorenzo in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They were married for 69 years at the time of Mr. Lorenzo's death in 2005. Before and during World War II she was employed by John A. Blair, owner of the Palace Drug Store in La Junta. After the war she was employed as cashier for the Mesa Theater and the La Junta Drive-In Theater. In 1952 she began a 32 year career with Otero School District R#1 as an Attendance Officer, retiring in 1984.

During her many years in La Junta she was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary Post 1092, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Chapter 1054, The National Ark Valley Retired School Employees and Knights of Columbus Auxiliary. She did volunteer work at the Veterans Hospital when it was located in Fort Lyon, and the Treatment Center in La Junta. She also took time to visit with residents at the local nursing homes.

Mrs. Lorenzo loved taking care of her home and kept it beautiful. She loved sewing for her granddaughters, always dressing them alike. Spending time with her grandchildren and later with her great-grandchildren was her favorite thing to do.

Upon the death of Mr. Lorenzo, she moved to Denver to be closer to her children, and had great times with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "Nonna" as she was called, will be missed very much.

Survivors include daughter, Fran (Gary) Switser of Larkspur, Colorado; son, Ron (Barb) Lorenzo of Sterling, Colorado; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; one sister Florence Huiskens of Essexville, Michigan; one brother Phillip DiDomenico of Arizona; and several nieces, nephews and cousins in Michigan and Montreal, Canada.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one sister and twin brothers in infancy.

Grace passed away peacefully on March 23, 2010 while living in an assisted living facility in Littleton, Colorado. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 10:30 a.m., and the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday both services will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick Parish with Father Alphonsus Ihuoma officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Reception will be held in the Parish Hall following the services.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory in charge of arrangements.