Julie Yvonne Lopez

Julie is survived by her three children and grandchild: Christina Cottam, Elida Bauerelen (Alex Bauerelen Jr), and Rueben Lopez. She is also survived by her siblings and father: Elena Elias, Edgar Martinez, and Ramon Martinez.

Julie was an artist and a soccer player. Dolphin admirer. Coloring book and puzzle enthusiast. U of A and GreenBay Packers Fan. Music-loving, Pizza eater.

My mom always said, Smile for me. Remembering her smile is what makes me smile. My mother's whole being was encompassed in her smile. Her white pearly teeth with her classic red lipstick are Julie. I have never known anyone who was so easily joyous as Julie was. Her wonder for the simple things in life was a rare trait that made her beautiful. My mother's creative and imaginative outlook on life transformed the dull ordinary parts of living into something worthwhile. Her reaction to things was pure and innocent. Adults see a kids' meal and a tiny French fry container and think nothing of it but my mom would say, “Awww, How adorable the little box is!! Look at how tiny and cute these little French fry containers are…I’m going to keep it”! As she watered the plants outside she would spray the tree and have the droplets come down on us and tell us it was raining. Even just walking by my mom in the house meant I wanted to dance with her and suddenly she would be flopping me about the living room. Julie was never too old or grown-up for having fun. At 44 years old she wouldn't be above having a spontaneous water balloon fight, jumping in a big pile of leaves or drawing with chalk on the sidewalk. She was goofy and completely unashamed to be so.

My mother was a servant and caring heart till the last beat. She entered a home and did everything she could to leave it better than it was before. I knew when my mom was around because all the dishes would be clean and food would be made for me. Helping around the house made her genuinely happy. My mom would be even happier if she was able to play music while she cleaned or cooked. My mom cared so much for her family. She remembered cousins birthdays, tia or tio’s favorite colors or foods, or that song that reminded her of time spent together. Her attachment to her family made her nostalgic. She kept the concert tickets. She kept her birthday cards. She dried and pressed the flowers you gave her. She folded the balloons you dropped off when she was sick. If you had given my mom a gum wrapper that said I love you on it she would've kept it.

As her daughter, I grieve the loss of the small details that made Julie mine. Those details that only belonged to me, my sister, or my brother. I will forever miss her hand combing through my hair. Her sweet perfume-hairspray smell. Her constantly warm hands. The cheesy spaghetti she would make. The dancing in the kitchen. Finding her post-it notes she would leave behind for me. Watching her do her makeup as I’d sit on the toilet lid talking about life with her. The list can go on for every part of my mother I will miss. The list could go on about how she made each moment in this life better.

If my mom could say goodbye, She would say I Love You.