Annie Spitz Lopez

Annie Lopez, 87 a longtime Fort Sumner resident died Sunday, March 25, 2001 in the De Baca General Hospital following a sudden illness. Annie was born February 16, 1914 in Northeastern De Baca County to the home of Florencio William Spitz and the former Tecla Swabecher. She was reared in De Baca County where she attended schools at La Lande and Fort Sumner. She married Pascual Lopez on May 8, 1942 in Fort Sumner. Pascual worked as a ranch hand for many years on area ranches including the Sam Steele Ranch and Moody Brothers Ranch. Pascual preceded Annie in death on July 6, 1993. Annie was a loving mother, mother-in-law, sister, and grandmother. She was a very talented lady who made sewing and quilting into a form of art. She has a collection of some of the most beautiful quilts she made in her lifetime. Annie is a precious woman and will be missed dearly by her family. Annie was also preceded in death by one sister, Maggie Sanderson, four brothers Willie Spitz, Edward Spitz, Frank Spitz, and Alfred Spitz. Survivors include one son James and wife Joann (Griego) Lopez of Los Lunas, NM; four grandchildren James Lopez Jr., Celina Lopez, Gabriel Lopez of Los Lunas, and Sarah Lopez of Oakland, CA; four great-grandchildren Marquita Lopez, Gabriel Lopez Jr., Daniel Lopez, and Joseph Lopez. Also surviving are three sisters Florence Pena of Albuquerque; Tinnie Oliver of Las Cruces; Pauline Spitz of Welch, Oklahoma; three brothers Joe Spitz of Lamar, Colorado; Paul Spitz of Charlottesville, Virginia; and Eddie Spitz of Fort Sumner. Other survivors include 24 nieces and nephews along with a host of good friends. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 28, 2001 from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner with Rev. Coy Brewer officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. The family prefers memorials in Annie’s memory to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, c/o Village of Fort Sumner; P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311.