Claudia Lugo

Claudia Lugo, (Pascua Yaqui Tribal Member) was bom on July 7, 1967 in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico and passed away on November 5, 2023. She passed away in her apartment which she shared with her Mother whom she cared for as a caretaker.

Claudia attended Rancho Viejo throughout her Elementary Years and also attended Crane Middle School. She went on to receive her Substance Abuse Degree from Rio Salado College. She worked over a decade at The Crossroads Mission as a Case Manager/Counselor helping many people get their lives back on track with a key focus on learning basic tools of recovery. While at the Mission she was known for bringing you the raw truth even when you didn't want to hear it. The compassion she had for her clients was a big part of why she made such an effort to teach those struggling with substance abuse a new way of life and they loved her for this.

Claudia eventually went on to take her experience, strength and hope to the Yuma County Adult Probation Department and became an integral part of the Drug Court Team as a Substance Abuse Counselor. Many of the clients she worked with would thank her during their Graduation from the program and she always received loud applause and cheers from past graduates.

She was a pillar in the community who wore a pair of heels you could hear coming a mile away. Claudia will be dearly missed by her family and the community of Yuma. Claudia loved spending time with her family. She loved her grandchildren and always showered them with love and affection. Claudia was proud of her Pascua Yaqui Heritage and was an avid reader of the history of our people. She had a collection of books which could rival any library and always loved to share her knowledge with her children whom she loved dearly. She had a smile as bright as the sun and never hesitated to lift you up if you were feeling down.

She loved to eat at many of her favorite restaurants with her family and friends. Some of her favorite restaurants were Manjares, Mi Rancho, Tacos Mi Rancho and Bubbas, Claudia loved listening to music and knew the words to many of her favorite songs. Some of her favorite bands and artists were Steel Pulse, The Eagles, Creedance Clear Water Revival and Gregory Issac just to name a few.

Preceding Claudia in death were her parents, (Hector Lugo); brothers, (Orlando Lugo and Gerald Lugo); Nephew (Gabriel Isaac Lugo). Claudia leaves behind mother, Adelaida Medina: siblings, Theresa Zambrano, Olga Lugo, Guadalupe Medina, Maria Lugo, Eugene Lugo, Sandra Lugo, Carlos Lugo. Children; Guadalupe Torres, Jose Angel Molina Jr. and Hector Juan Monjardin. Nine grandchildren as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Visitation will be held at Johnson Mortuary on Friday, November 17, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Special Thank You to Ricki Stewart, Jose Vidal, Adrian Negrete and Bill P. from Crossroads Mission for their longtime friendship and support to my mother.