Stella Marie Sanchez was born on October 23, 1937 to Jose P. Sanchez and Celia T. Sanchez in Gill Colorado. She grew up and went to school in northeastern Colorado. She grew up in the Catholic Faith and was a member of Holy Family Church. In 1956, she married the love of her life Raymond B. Lujan and settled in Fort Collins. Over the span of 12 years they created their family of 6 children, Ray Jr, Joe, Robert, Clara, Manuel & Frank. She worked outside of the home while still taking care of her kids and husband. After her retirement from Larimer County, Stella began watching her grandkids and enjoyed spending time with her family. She liked to do her puzzle books, and was an avid fan of professional wrestling. She was known to many of her children’s friends as "Momma Lujan" and loved seeing and talking to them. After some devastating losses (Joe in 1989, Raymond in 2005, and Manuel in 2021) she continued on as best she could knowing that someday they would all be reunited. Now that time has arrived and those of us who are struggling to let her go know that this is what she wanted and was all part of God's plan. She will be missed and loved by many.
Stella is survived by the following Ray Jr. (Virginia), Robert, Frank (Beth) Lujan, Clara (Pat) Hernandez; siblings, Thomas Sanchez, Abel Sanchez, Veronica Barros, Mary Jane Oliver; grandchildren, Joey, Jericho, Camaro, Kyle, Vincent, Lita, Rosita, Miranda, Jimmie, and Erica; great grandchildren, Tony and Rylan; and numerous others including, in-laws, nieces, nephews, bonus grandchildren (Anthony, Jermie, Travis), and many bonus great grandchildren; her many "adopted kids" (Keri, Heath, &"Bubba" to name only a few); and pets that loved her, Furdinand the Cat and Luther the Dog.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; sons, Joe and Manuel; common law daughter in-law, Christine; parents, Jose and Celia; siblings, Delmo, Bill, Frances, and Ida; granddaughter-in-law, Devyn; great grandson, Tommy; and numerous brother/sister/parent in-laws from both sides of the family.
