Colorado Springs. With her daughter at her side, she left this world into the Lord’s loving hands and
back into the embrace of her husband Louis Villegos with whom she shared 76 years of marriage.
Louis passed away in August of 2016 at the age of 97.
Marina graced this world for 99 years. All 4’9” of her was about love and caring for others. Her love
knew no boundaries. She gave to this world way more than she took away. She did everything to
make it a better place. Anyone who crossed her path experienced her kindness.
Born in Pueblo, Colorado July 18, 1919, she was the daughter of Filomena (Espinoza) and Manuel
Sarmiento. Marina was the oldest of nine children raised in both the Chandler and Florence area of
Colorado. Being the eldest sibling she was given many care duties to assist the younger ones.
Marina’s fondest memories of these times were of playing organized softball and going from town to
town to play other schools. She remained a fan of baseball her entire life. She also shared sitting
around with family and friends listening to her father play cancions on his 6 string guitar. These
memories and so many more, brought both joy and tears to her heart.
Marina at a young age along with her brothers and sisters worked the fields of Colorado. Her father
Manuel eventually leased a coal mine and the brothers worked the mine. Her parents opened a
restaurant in Florence, Colorado. Marina helped there whenever she could.
She met her future husband Louis in the town of Chandler, Colorado. Over their teen years Marina and Louis began to date. Marina loved dancing and going to the movies, Louis enjoyed watching both. It was not until they were both 21 years of age they eloped to Raton, New Mexico to be married. Her parents would not give consent as they would lose the care she provided to the younger ones. When they returned to Chandler the story goes they had to hide from them. The mystery is how they managed this in a three street town where the new father in-law and son in-law worked in the same mine. Love found a way.
When mining stopped, the town of Chandler was left for the history books. Work took Marina and
Louis to Florence, CO, Sunnyside, UT, Colorado Springs, CO, Glenwood Springs, CO and finally back to Colorado Springs where they remained through retirement. The two were inseparable over all these years and remained deeply in love. In each of these towns and cities Marina's strong faith in the Lord was always with her. She was a member of Good Shepard, Divine Redeemer and St. Stephens Catholic churches.
Marina and Louis enjoyed going back to Florence for the Pioneer Day celebration. They enjoyed
seeing both family and friends at this event every year.
Marina was a beautiful woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and friend. Her smile, kindness, love and compassion moves forward within the hearts of others. She is greatly missed.
Marina is survived by her son Tom (Theresa), grandson Joe, granddaughter Amy, all of Erie, Colorado, daughter Felice of Colorado Springs, grandson Matt (Jessica) and granddaughter Jessica (Tommy) and three great grandchildren Tommy ll, Izzy and Sammy, all of Aurora , Colorado. Surviving sisters are Tomasita Ayala (Nick) and Virginia Herrera (Abel).
Rosary is at 9:30 am followed by Funeral Mass at 10:00 am on October 31st at Divine Redeemer in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Canon City, Colorado.
