Irma Lente

Irma Lente 8/8/1967-10/7/18

Veronica and Nestor were Irma’s grandparents they had Syria the oldest daughter, Nestor, Darlene, Sara and Niffy they are twins and Rebecca was the baby of family. The oldest daughter, Syria met Thomas Rivas and they were both migrant workers. Syria had David Montoya, Priscilla, Diana, Tommy, Irma and Andrew. Irma Rivas was born August 8th of 1967 in Fair View, Rio Arriba County. She was the quiet child she loved to color she would stay hidden to avoid trouble. Irma later learned to read and fell in love with reading just like her mom. The Rivas family traveled with two other families the Zapattas and Rodriguez they worked in a field in Alamosa Colorado, Phoenix Arizona, Bakersfield California, Hereford Texas and Las Cruces New Mexico. The type of work the Rivas did was hoeing onions, hoeing lettuce, picking cotton it was very hard labor. Pay was really low the bigger the family the better to help work in fields. It was .50 cent a large bag one bag equal two 50 gallon buckets. The rows were so long and narrow you could see the end. Thomas was one of the main bosses but didn't get any slack. One time the kids pretended to be sick to go to fair that was in town oh boy they all got into trouble but it was worth it.  The children went to many schools through their education. The Rivas family often lived trailer and apartment Syria ensured that they left it really clean to be able to come back.  No matter where they traveled the family always had one dog and one cat. Their grades still needed to be good even though the family traveled where work was. One time, Diana and David made boxes to ride on but when it was Irma turn the box began to rip. Irma’s legs had bruises and scrapes. Irma was the baby for a long time and she believed everything her brother and sister told her they convinced her to put her tongue on the freezer when Syria returned the was so upset but she had no mercy on Irma she picked her up and pulled her off. The story is, taste buds were left behind it’s almost like the Christmas story. Since Irma was the baby only her siblings could fight with her but if anyone else's tried her sister Diana protected her. Irma’s education was Murphy number three, she graduated a sun devil in 1985 and attended college in Las Cruces with her cousin Donna for computers. During college Irma fondest memory was when she had a Charlie Brown thanksgiving with bubble gum and popcorn. She lived in an apartment with Diana in Hereford for three months before Diana married Armando de la Cruz. She went to school in Hereford her best friend was Tammy. Irma did have a job in Espanola, New Mexico at the burger king. In 1989 Irma met Frank at local bar. Irma learned to drive in 1967 in a convertible Impala. Syria said if you ever get tired of my daughter you bring her home to me. Irma had called Tammy to deliver the news that she was pregnant she was delighted. Irma had wanted to be a mom so bad especially since Tammy already had her first child . Years before the doctor told Irma she could not conceive that she could lose her life or both. Irma was determined to carry her baby no matter what she a fighter against all odds Tammy felt so happy when she had a beautiful little girl on April 21 1992 at Presbyterian hospital in Albuquerque. Irma choose the name Brianna she felt a unique.

Irma and Frank got married March 19th 1993, so he could never forget she choose to put it on Frank's birthday. They got married the courthouse and just had a small celebration at small restaurant. Their child walked for the wedding day.  Irma Lente was a wonderful mother she helped raise Amanda Farrar and Christopher while Priscilla worked. She attended all the school events, participated in PTA meetings, and she never missed an honor assembly, or a choir performance. Irma chaperoned many field trips. Irma made Brianna feel loved every year she baked a cake and took her school. She even helped with bake sales and sold root beer floats. By the time Brianna reached middle school Syria’s health started to decline so the three musketeers; Irma, David and Diana stood up to take care of their mom. Irma went to live in Espanola she fought the wheelchair to get Syria to dialysis she was very close to her mom.  Irma often traveled back to Albuquerque for year weekend to be with Frank. Irma later got a seasonal job at the Disney store at Coronado mall where she made new friends. Irma was a very kind and nurturing mother. Her laughter lit up a room she was always full of joy and she didn't care what people thought of her as long as she was happy. Irma’s favorite color was purple and she loved to do puzzles just not the 3D ones. Irma loved Coke cola products. Irma is aunt to many Jessica Armendariz, Leny and Alex Elizabeth Lopez, Pablo and baby Gabriel, Alex de la Cruz, Anthony de la Cruz, Savina Rivas, Anastasia, Alexis, Angelo, and Rain, Amanda, Marley, and Christopher, Raymond, Ariel, Jared, and Jade Rivas, and Ky. Irma could read a book every two days she always liked them better than the movies. Irma took care of everyone as if they were her own children just to name a few; Jesus Martinez, Edgar de Santiago, Angel Silva, Natasha Mora, Anthony Garcia and Chris de Campo her door was always open. Irma and Frank baptized three kids Jaedin Lucero, Benjamin Lewis and Ariel Rivas. My mom encouraged all kids to pursue their dreams. She did not judge people and she kept to herself. Irma was very proud of Brianna’s accomplishments in her education and she screamed so loud while in the crowd for every graduation. Irma struggled with the loss of her mother on April 15th 2013. Holidays no longer felt the same. In 2015 Irma and Frank became grandparents to Skylaah Ellydia Martinez, who also loves to read. Irma loved her so much, and read a lot of books to her. They even argued who’s electric scooter it was they were a silly team. In July 2017, Irma was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood and bone cancer. She received blood transfusion, and her spirit stayed strong she laughed to the very end. Irma was always just a phone call away. The cancer was just too aggressive and spread rapidly. We cherished every moment we had on October 7, 2018 Irma went back home to her parents. Emptiness filled a room nothing was the same. She was married for 25 years. It is a sign relief she no longer in pain she is at rest, and someday we will meet again. Just know that Irma would want you to celebrate her life, and not cry because she loved everyone.