Maria "Lulu" Luisa Harper

“Lulu”

January 13, 1923-December 7, 2013

Maria, or as she was known with affection by her family in Mexico, “Lulu” was born on January 13, 1923 in Mexico City, Mexico D.F. She was born into a large family as the middle daughter of Daniel and Maria Dolores Montes Villasenor, which included two brothers and five sisters. She was considered frail and weak by her immediate family. Ironically, she outlived all her siblings. Lulu is survived by her daughter, Elaine Harper Redondo and grandson, Ricardo Daniel Redondo both from Aurora, Colorado; nephew Dr. Daniel Montes Lopez and his wife Dr. Anita Montes and their children Nadia, Hector, and Adrian; niece Patty and her husband Jorge and children all from Toluca, Mexico, and two nephews Ruben Oviedo Montes and Dr. Alejandro Oviedo Montes from Mexico City.

Lulu obtained a degree in law in Mexico City and worked for the government economic sector under her former professor that would later become president of Mexico. While working on her degree, she also studied English at a British Academy. During the 50’s she came to the USA on an international cultural scholarship and attended Bowling Green University. Lulu was a member of a cultural dance troupe that would provide dance recitals that demonstrated the various dances native to Mexico. She remained in the United States working in the Midwest and finally relocated to Denver, Colorado. Lulu met her future husband Donald S. Harper in Denver, Colorado at a dance. They came from different cultures but found common ground. She remained married for 30 years until March of 1991, when Donald died of emphysema.

Donald’s family never accepted their marriage because of their cultural differences. However, Lulu was honored after her husband passed away. A member of Donald's family thanked her for her dedication and told her that she was the best wife a man could ever have had in his life.

Lulu’s life in Colorado not only included being a great mother, wife, and grandmother but also continuing her education by earning a BA degree in Chicano studies with a minor in Spanish from Metropolitan State College. She worked for St. Cajetan’s credit union where she met a young priest named Fr. Thomas who would not only see her through a couple of times when she almost died, but also baptized her grandson and officiated over her husband's funeral. There were other jobs and entrepreneur ventures where she was the original Avon sales lady that went door-to-door during the 60’s for more than 10 years.

Throughout Lulu's life, she always was a person you could depend on and without hesitation would provide help to friends, family, and anyone in need. Many Spanish-speaking people that needed help due to their lack of English skills would always seek her help.

Even though she made her life in the United States, she always cared and provided for her family in Mexico. Lulu maintained her family values, culture, and traditions, but she would also embrace her adoptive country. Shortly after getting married, she became an American citizen and was more knowledgeable about American government than most native-born Americans.

Lulu’s life in Mexico City prepared her for obstacle she would face in adult life. As a child, she was very close to both of her parents one of her favorite things to do was to go to the theater with her father. None of the other siblings or her mother wanted to go because her father could only afford the cheap seats what we would call the nosebleeds. But she was always ready to go and that energy and enthusiasm towards life continued on throughout her long life.

Lulu was always active and responsible and had an adventurous and daring streak to her. Back in the time of no TV, kids actually played and do things that were not the best choices. Lulu used to walk on stilts like what you see in a circus for fun in the cobblestone streets of Mexico.

Unfortunately, Lulu would have to grow up at a young age. Her mother died when she was nine years old. Lulu gain the strength to be the best she could be with the support of her family. She did many activities such as play the drums in her school marching band and she was a dancer of Mexican folk dances.

Lulu was a compassionate, intelligent, strong woman who always took a positive approach to life. Anyone who had the chance to know her found a trustworthy person in Lulu. Even with the loss of her mother and the lack of spiritual guidance in her household, Lulu had faith in God and in the health professionals that were involved in her care all her life.

Lulu battled the illnesses of colitis, migraines, weak bones, heart murmur, high blood pressure, and ultimately myasthenia gravis which was the disease that she fought the good fight for nine years until her passing.

She will be missed by all. Maria Lulu Harper is no longer suffering, free, independent, and with her loved ones. She left on December 7, 2013 which we observe as Pearl Harbor Day. Her late husband Donald had always planned to go on a cruise with Lulu upon retirement. Always think of Lulu with Donald on a ship sailing the seas and dancing to the music of their generation.