Virginia Negrete, 94, passed away January 31, 2024 in Hospice at her granddaughter’s home in Thornton, Colorado. Born on January 11, 1930 to Hilario and Mercedes Suarez of Iliff, Colorado., Virginia was the seventh of thirteen children and graduated from Iliff High School. She became the wife of Gilbert Negrete (who preceded her in death in 2006) on Valentine’s Day in 1952, with whom she shared 54 years of life as a devoted wife and mother; who would become the sole caregiver to Gilbert as he battled severe illness for many years. A woman of strong faith, Virginia was a member of her local Catholic church in Pueblo, where her and Gilbert raised their family; and in Longmont where she lived the remainder of her life after her husband’s passing.
Virginia and Gilbert had two sons: Carlos J. Negrete (Loretta) of Longmont, Colorado., grandchildren: Andres D. Negrete (Rebecca) of Firestone, Colorado., and great-grandchildren (Samuel and Maya) and Danielle Muller (Grant) of Arvada, Colorado., great-grandchildren (Charlie and Sonny); and Manuel A. Negrete (deceased)(Dawn), grandchild Vangeline Medina (Justin) of Thornton, Colorado., great-grandchildren (Jacob and Mia). Virginia loved her family. She loved being “GG” (great-grandma) and watching her six great-grandchildren grow and learn! But she also loved her siblings, nieces and nephews, and their children. Virginia is survived by her younger brothers: Isadore Suarez (Frances) of Bakersfield, California., Robert “Bob” Suarez of Iliff, Colorado., and her younger sister: Annie Torres (Louis) of Denver, Colorado.
Her entire working career was with the Department of the Army where she was hired as a clerk at the Sioux Army Depot in Sidney, Nebraska, and retired as a Transportation Officer at the Pueblo Army Depot. Her time in transportation included direct involvement in all aspects of army domestic and world support such as the mud-slides Puerto Rico and war campaigns in Vietnam, and Desert Storm.
There will be a visitation at Imperial Memorial Gardens in Pueblo, Colorado., on February 14, 2024 from 11:00 – 12:30 pm, followed by a funeral graveside service at 1:00pm. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life reception will be held in Denver at a later date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations, may be made to the organization or charity of your choice in her name.
