Rosalie Loya

Rosalie Jimenez Loya of Safford, passed away in Tucson on September 8, 2019 with her loving family at her side. She was born on September 3, 1939 in Safford to parents Lorenzo Jimenez & Mary Lopez Jimenez and 11 brothers & sisters. Rosalie attended schools in Superior, Arizona, graduating from Superior High School in 1957. On January 3, 1959, she married her one true love, Steve P. Loya, Jr and the couple welcomed 3 children into their home; Terrie, Toni and Steven. Rosalie loved being a homemaker and welcomed the birth of each of her children with loving arms. She truly cared for her family and spent many hours providing comfort and direction to them. She also kept her husband and children on their toes at all times, making sure they were always honest with others. With the arrival of each grandchild & great-grandchild, Rosalie was so happy and eager to welcome them into her open arms and spoil them with her love. She is survived by her loving husband Steve P. Loya, Jr and her children; Terrie (David) Montez, Toni (Eddie) Jaramillo and Steven G. (Stephanie) Loya, 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and her bulldog, Noel. Private family services will be held. Family of Rosalie & Steve P. Loya, Jr. Terrie & David Montez David Nell - Jesse Loya - Joseph Gabriel Toni & Eddie Jaramillo Stephanie Figgins - Eddie Michael - Joshua Adam Steven G. & Stephanie Loya Corina D. Sanchez - Kalene M. Castro Great-Grandchildren David James III - Manuel Michael - Jonathan Michael Charles Steven - Ronan Alexander - Mya Elena Mom's Life Story Rosalie Jimenez Loya Rosalie Jimenez was born on a Sunday, September 3, 1939 in Safford, Arizona. Her parents were Lorenzo and Mary Jimenez. She had 11 brothers and sisters. They later moved to Superior, Arizona where she was raised and attended elementary, junior high and high school there. Mom met our Dad, Steve Loya, at a Superior ~vs~ Thatcher High School Football Game played in her home town. She was a Pom Pom for Superior and Dad was a football player for Thatcher High...and this is where their Love Story started. They kept in touch and Mom later moved to Safford. It was May of 1958 that the two started dating. Their courtship had only been for a few months before they knew that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. During this time, Dad took Mom dancing every chance they got. She loved to dance. Their favorite place to eat was at the Carhop Diner in Safford, which is now the Allstate Building here. Mom always ordered her favorite which was shrimp while my Dad ordered his favorite, a hamburger. Nine months after they started dating and fell in love, Mom and Dad were married in Superior on January 3, 1959. There was a light rain that fell on this beautiful happy occasion. They made their home in Safford, Arizona. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Terrie Marie. In 1963 their second child was born, another daughter named Toni Renee and in 1969 their third child, a son was born. His name, Steven Gabriel. Their family was complete. Through love, Mom's children have found in their lives, she has 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Mom was a homemaker first and foremost. She also volunteered and was a Den Mother for a boy scout troop in the mid 1970's. She was also a Teacher's Assistant at the Safford High School Home Economics Department in the late 1970's to the early 1980's. In between she helped Dad coach our sports teams, cheer us on during our school sporting events, getting us to and from school and whatever practices we needed to be at, took care of us when we were sick. In the midst of all that entails of being Mom for her family. Mom enjoyed family vacations, birthday celebration of each and every one in our family. Our day trips up Mount Graham to spend the day together. She enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles and sewing. Her most favorite times as we all grew up were our family gatherings for the holidays and those barbeques at our sister's house. Mom was the constant in our lives. She was there to see us off to school and always there to greet us after. She encouraged our extracurricular activities and praised us for our good grades in school. Guided us with a strong hand but encouraged us along the way. Even as adults we still looked to her for advice, guidance and encouragement. We, her children, are who we are because of her. Mom's love, guidance and her faith has been the heart of our family. While Mom was in the hospital, her room had two big windows and on several occasions during her stay there, we saw a hummingbird come to the window and flutter by as if looking in on her. On the day she left the hospital and we took Mom to hospice, there was a dove that sat on the wall of her patio looking in. We saw that dove many times in the 48 hours Mom was there. On Sunday, September 8, 2019...When Mom took her last breath, a light calming rain started. It was our sign that she was at peace and no longer in pain. Mom, Our Love for You is Beyond Forever You Are and Will Always Be Missed