Shirley (Hora) Villarreal

Shirley was born in Pitkin CO. to Joe and Jennie Vigil on Sept. 20, 1937, the second of 13 children. She went into the loving arms of those who preceded her in death, and to her loving God and Jesus Christ on October 17, 2022 with family by her side.

The Vigil family moved several times during her youth, eventually settling in the Greeley area. It is here she met and married Sadao (Sud) Hora in 1955. Shirley and Sud lived in Kersey and had three boys and a girl, starting her life as a wonderful Mom and caregiver that lasted 85 years. Once we kids were a little older, Mom proudly obtained her GED and taught Head Start in Kersey and Greeley for years. She blamed us boys, having to sit through all those games we played, for her love of baseball and the Rockies (she still cheered for them, win or lose). Mom loved collecting salt and pepper shakers, tea pots, angels, and other useful items she found while shopping at a thrift store or garage sale, wherever she might find just the right item. Mom also had a taste for single packets of pepper, enough emery boards, nail clippers, and pocket tissues for everyone in her family and friends twice over. She also enjoyed sending out handwritten cards and letters for any and all occasions. You could find Shirley putting puzzles together with family and friends, completing word search books, showing off her competitive side while playing Bingo and Scrabble. Dancing, singing, and playing the guitar were very dear to her heart and brought her a lot of happiness, as well as cooking big family meals, and teaching others how to make her specialties, shrimp salad, tortillas, buñuelos, and the creamiest beans you’ve ever eaten!

She cared for Sud at home when he fell ill, providing around the clock care and love. Following Dad’s death in 1982, mom learned how to drive and ferried others around until 2020 when she gave up her keys. Mom married Steve Trevino in 1993 and helped him run Esteve’s Upholstery shop. They had to close the shop when Steve lost his vision, moved to Birchwood Apartments in Greeley, and lived just down the hall from Grandma Jennie. Mom cared for Steve and Grandma Jennie until he died in 2005. Mom continued looking after Grandma, playing game after game of Scrabble with Grandma and whoever happened to be their victim that day. Grandma Jennie passed in 2006 at the age of 87.

Mom caught the eye and hand of another Birchwood resident, Manuel Villarreal, and they were married in 2008. They were a great couple, keeping each other company, sharing stories, and singing together. His family became her extended family, and in her normal unconditionally loving manner, held Willie, Tina (Bob) Hunt, and Jesse (Della) close to her heart. Mom took care of Manual, and he of her, and when he died in 2017 Mom decided enough. She spent her remaining years checking in on family, others at Birchwood, and with her lifelong, and recently acquired new friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husbands; her parents, her siblings June, Pete, and Roberta; and great-grandson JJ.

She is survived by her sons Michael Hora of Leola PA, Myron (Colleen) Hora of Greeley, Ronald (Tommi) Hora of Eaton, and daughter Barb (LeRoy) Brum of Gilcrest; 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren; brothers Leroy (Lillian), Roger (Pat), and Tony; sisters Ramona Moreno, Angie (Manual) Apodaca, Delores (Dave) Young, Juanita Guy, Anita (John) Casynn, Lee (Gert) Bocock, her dear Aunt Dolly, and too many nieces, nephews and friends to count. We believe her being part of a large family contributed to Mom’s nature, to love and care about so many people.

Visitation is at Stoddard and will begin at 5:00 on Wed. 10/26 with the Rosary at 6:30. Services will be at St. Mary’s on Friday, 10/28 at 11:00, followed at 1:00 by a graveside service at Sunset Memorial Gardens.