Irene Lara Lopez

Irene was born on March 10, 1944 in Terrell, Texas to the late Alberto & Dolores Lara. She was the youngest daughter of 13 children, eight of which preceded her in death. Growing up in a very large family, she humbly called herself and her siblings “the boxcar children,” having been raised on the railroad. Irene was educated in the Dallas Independent School District in Texas. She attended Sam Houston Elementary and Spence Junior High. She married at the age of 17 and had seven children but raised them independently. Irene married Henry Lopez in 1994. Irene was also a devoted Catholic and attended mass at St. Mary of Carmel Catholic Church for over 40 years.

Irene was an avid reader of mystery novels, loved to watch “The Young and the Restless,” loved the Peanuts gang especially Charlie Brown, enjoyed going shopping and to the movies, but mostly she loved spending time with her family. Irene and Henry often enjoyed a good time dancing while listening to her favorite Tejano group, Joe Lopez y Grupo Mazz. She was such a caring person always thinking of others. She lived life to the fullest and will be greatly missed by all those whose heart she touched. “To know her was to love her.”

She is preceded in death by three brothers: Dario Lara, Manual Lara, Juan Lara; five sisters: Guadalupe “Lupe” Martinez, Josephine Mendez, Candelaria “Maggie” Martinez, Ignacia “Nacha” Cipriano, Ramona Lara; and three great grandchildren: Damien Vasquez, Celia Gilbert and Isabella Lozano.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband Henry Lopez; children: Jesse R. Lozano Sr. (Felicita), Rebecca R. Lozano, Patricia I. Casey (John), Robert Lozano, Rene M. Lozano, Natalie M. Thomas (Robert), Nathan A. Lozano; Siblings: Alberto Lara, Jr., Consuelo Castillo (Rodolfo), Mary L. Vela (Eleopoldo), Santiago “Jimmy” Lara (Roxane); grandchildren: John, John III “Trey,” Darius, Maria, Luis Jr “Baby Luis,” Jesse Jr “Porky,” Christopher, Alex, Adrian “Pelon,” Jasmine, Stephen, Tarah, Vanessa, Marcus, Anthony, Kaitlyn “Katie,” Lauren, Nehemiah, Tristan; great-grandchildren: Madison, Nadia, Haley, Desiree, Janelle, Jessilyn, Melissa, Lauren, Deacon, Jayla, Landon, Brennan, London, Stephen Jr, Jon Jon, Kaylen, Sophia, Alaina, Layla, Sebastian, Allison; goddaughters: Reyna Young (Terrence), Frances M. Jimenez (Oscar); and honorary children: Roy Cardinas, Mary Cardinas and Raymond “Lele” Robles (Barbara).

The Lopez/Lozano Family invites you to join in remembering and celebrating the life of Irene. A visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017 from 5 p.m.to 9 p.m., with the Holy Rosary recited at 7 p.m. at Calvary Hill Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of Carmel Church, 2900 Vilbig Road, Dallas, Tx 75212 with the burial to follow at Calvary Hill Cemetery.