Doris Jean Lopez

Doris Jean Lopez, 61, passed away Sunday, March 4, 2012, at her home. She was born June 27, 1950, in Casa Grande, AZ.

Doris was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an active member of Calvary Chapel Yuma. She lived to take care of others, and enjoyed fishing and crocheting.

Doris is survived by her husband, Mario J. Lopez; son, Steven Lopez; daughters, Debbie Howe and Rachael Lopez; mother, Evelyn Leona Erwin-Chong, as well as four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Erwin; brother, Rick Erwin.

Services will be held at Johnson Mortuary with Visitation, Friday, March 9, 2012, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Funeral Service will be held the following day, Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. Her final resting place will be at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.Arrangements under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Yuma, AZ.

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Doris Jean Lopez, it summarized in every way who she was. She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her and always thinking before acting. She was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything she did. She was a friendly person who truly cared about those around her.

She was the daughter of Lloyd and Evelyn Erwin. Raised in Yuma, Arizona, she was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, she learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that she would carry with her throughout her life.

Doris enjoyed learning. She always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Doris was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. She often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Doris was painstaking and accurate in her efforts. Doris attended Kofa High School and enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Doris. On June 18, 1965 Doris married Mario J. Lopez at Yuma City Hall of Yuma, Arizona. She was totally committed to Mario and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Doris naturally sensed her spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. Although Doris disliked conflict, she did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

Doris was a good mother to her children. She had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because she trusted emotions, Doris was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way she seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around her, always thinking before acting. In addition, Doris was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around her might be, she seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule. Doris was blessed with three, one son, Steven and two daughters, Debbie and Rachael.

Doris liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Doris' choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Doris preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on her hobbies. Her hobbies were fishing and crocheting. Doris was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying her hobbies all by herself and could often be found just reading about her favorite pastimes.

An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, her faith was important to Doris. Her compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in her personal beliefs. She was a member Calvary Chapel for 2 years.

Doris passed away on March 4, 2012 at home. She is survived by her husband, Mario J. Lopez; son, Steven Lopez; daughters, Debbie Howe and Rachael Lopez; mother, Evelyn Erwin-Chong, as well as four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services were held at Johnson Mortuary Chapel on Saturday, March 10, 2012 in Yuma, Arizona. Doris was laid to rest in Desert Lawn Memorial Park.

It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Doris was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Doris was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn. She was thorough and practical. Doris Lopez was very literal with her words. You always knew where you stood with Doris. She will be missed.