Irene Mora De Vazquez

Irene Mora de Vazquez died peacefully at home in Santa Fe, NM, on January 10, 2022, surrounded by family at the age of 99.

Irene was born in Acaponeta, Nayarit, Mexico, to Fructoso Mora and Julia Orozco Peraza de Mora on October 25, 1922. In October 1942, she married the love of her life, Jorge “Negro” Vazquez. Together they raised ten children who would be the center of Irene’s life. Jorge and Irene lived in Mexicali but enjoyed spending summers with their children in Las Playas de Rosarito. The couple were said to have thrown the best parties, full of food, family, dancing, and music; a tradition now carried on by her family. Heartbreak struck in 1972 when Jorge died; she spent the rest of her life waiting for the day they would be reunited in heaven.

Mama Nene, as she was affectionately known to her family, loved traveling to visit her ten children and thirty-five grandchildren throughout the United States and Mexico. She never missed a special event and was always the best-dressed woman in the room.

Much of her time was spent working with her hands. She cherished crocheting and sewing clothing, from her own designs, for her children and grandchildren. She also loved to create, especially flores de papel for celebrations, and also decorate the cemetery for special events like Dia De Los Muertos, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. Cooking was a way for her to show her love, and she showed it well. No one can choose which dish was best as everything she made was memorable and delicious; but her tamales and creamy oatmeal were some of her most requested dishes. Some of her favorite activities included dancing with Jorge and her sons, singing and listening to music, watching classic Sinatra and Bruce Lee films, winning big at the casinos, enjoying telenovelas with her daughters, and telling stories from long ago.

Later in life, she moved to Santa Fe, NM, to live with her youngest daughter Elva Sullivan and her family. As she got older and mobility became difficult, she still attended every family event she could and looked terrific till her last day. Her smile could light up any room and will be unforgettable to those who knew her and loved her.

Irene is preceded in death by her husband Jorge; mother Julia; father Fructoso; son Carlos and his wife Hortencia; son Francisco and his son Alex; brother Fructoso; sister Josefina, sister Mercedes, granddaughter Ana, and other beloved family members.

She is survived by her brother Carlos Mora, and eight children: Jose Guadalupe, Maria De Jesus, Dora, Martha, Patricia, Marco, Jorge, and Elva and their families. She leaves behind thirty-four grandchildren, fifty-nine great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, two great-great-great-grandchildren, and many other family and friends who will cherish her memories.

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