Victoria Marie Lobato

Vicky was born in Red Wing, Colorado, on July 27, 1936. She moved with her family to La Veta, Colorado and attended school. She was always a bright student and loved learning. Her favorite hobby was spending time at the library, where she obtained her first library card at the age of 7. She loved to read and would check out books to take home. This favorite pastime led to her earning high marks and graduating with her diploma from high school. Upon graduation, she went to Pueblo, Colorado, and worked as a secretary at the Ordnance Depot while attending night classes.

While in Pueblo, she met and married the love of her life, Guilberto Lobato on November 17, 1956, and their adventure began. Victoria traveled with Gilbert to the many Air Force bases where he was stationed. She shared fond memories of the many people they met at each base. With two young sons and a daughter on the way, they set off for a new assignment and adventure in France. While in the Lorraine region, their daughter was born. The young family took advantage of this time and did a lot of sightseeing together. They enjoyed a gondola ride in the Alps and French dining, as well as the beautiful countryside. Vicky’s favorite thing was for Gilbert to bring home freshly baked, still warm baguettes for their morning breakfast. Vicky was able to enjoy a journey to Rome with a group of friends. She loved seeing all the historical places of religious significance, the statues, and the castles.

Returning stateside, they were stationed at McGuire Air Base in New Jersey. Vicky worked as a civil Servant at McGuire where she attained a top secret clearance as an administrative assistant. McGuire AF base was a major air defense hub at this time. They closed out their military adventure at Scott AF base in Illinois. Once again, Vicky working as a civil servant at the base. The family made many new friends at both bases and enjoyed many family outings while at each. One highlight was touring the St. Louis Arch with their young family as well as enjoying many opportunities for camping and fishing the Meramec River in Missouri.

After retiring from the Air Force, the family moved to El Paso, Texas, where Gilbert went to work for the Border Patrol and Immigration and Naturalization. Vicky worked at Ft. Bliss in El Paso as an administrative assistant. She also worked for Immigration and Naturalization as an administrative assistant. Her final position was as a stenographer for the Federal Court House in El Paso.

While in El Paso, the joy of her life, her grandson was born. Vicky and Gilbert enjoyed adventures traveling with him to see family in Colorado as well as California. The three went to the Grand Canyon and enjoyed a helicopter ride. Many outings to Mexico and to the Chamizal for music evenings were commonplace. After the deaths of both of their sons in El Paso, Vicky and Gilbert along with their daughter and grandson set out on a new adventure to central Texas and settled in Cedar Park. Once again, the family enjoyed the new culture, the rivers and lakes and serving others. At every point along this adventure, Vicky and Gilbert were very involved with service to their Catholic faith. Often times teaching religious education classes, volunteering for committees, working for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, buying items to be placed in the new St. Margaret Mary Church and helping out with numerous church festivities. Vicky’s adventure was well lived.

Vicky is preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Guilberto A. T Lobato (2018), her eldest son, Gilbert A. T. Lobato Jr. (1993), and her middle child also a son, Fred Edward Lobato (1991). She is survived by her daughter Debra and husband Fred Paez, and her grandson Michael A. Chilson and his wife Jenny.