Elvira (Vera) Lomeli "Big Grandma"

Elvira (Vera) Lomeli was born on April 22nd, 1928, and passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on June 6th, 2024, in Flagstaff, AZ. Vera was born a native to Flagstaff, AZ, and the matriarch of her family. She had been a dedicated wife who moved around a bit with her husband who ran the Sawmill in Springerville and Flagstaff, she also spent time in Blythe, CA where most of her family resided. Vera was well-traveled as her husband would always take time and take Vera on trips. Vera lived most all her life on Colorado Street in the house (s) that her husband built. She is preceded in death by her husband Joe Lomeli, her daughter Jackie Lomeli, sisters Georgia Barreras, Mary Montoya, and brother Ernesto Lomeli. She is survived by her children Jennie Baca, Sandye Ethier, Fernando Lomeli, sister Carmen (Lita) Contreras, and brother Ramon Lomeli. Vera, aka "Big" Grandma, was very special and very loved by her 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and a few grand-dogs.

If you had the opportunity to meet and get to know Big Grandma, you were just plain lucky. She was strong, feisty, giving, and the ruler of her roost. She was a devoted Catholic and known for her delicious tortillas and home cooking as well as her spicy and humorous nature, some of her favorite things to do were talk on the phone, visit with her friends, garden, cook, have a cocktail, and shop at Marshall's with her daughters or granddaughters. Grandma's house was always magical and anyone who wanted to visit would be welcome with the smell of fresh tortillas, beans, and possibly chili or whatever she was feeling like creating that day, you just always had to come with an appetite, and it was always delicious. Up until she recently fell ill, Big Grandma was very independent and the healthiest 96-year-old woman you knew around. She still walked unassisted and did everything on her own and even drove her car up until about a year ago. Big Grandma and her magic are not gone forever because she left us with so many different memories and she was so special, she will be deeply missed but we know she is in the hands of our Father and is in the most beautiful holy place reunited with her beloved husband and daughter again. We love you forever "Big" Grandma, see you later!

Services for Vera Lomeli will be held on Thursday, June 13th, 2024 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Rosary is at 10 am and a mass will follow.

*In lieu of flowers please donate to Maggie's Place Hospice or San Francisco De Asis Parish.