Sara Lidia Vigil

Sara was born on Feb. 11, 1951 to Jesse and “Lupe” Olmedo in Fort Lupton, Colorado. She was the second of four children born after her sister, Yolanda, and before her other two siblings, Linda and Anthony “Tony". Sara grew up quick and often was the rebel of the family. She left home early to discover love, life and adventure, marrying Gil Shipley at an early age. Sara continued to be free spirited which resulted in the end of her marriage. Shortly thereafter, she found the love her life and married Tom Garcia. That union was a happy one and resulted in two children, Christina and Lorenzo. There were many years of love shared between Tom and Sara, they worked hard and worked together to make sure they built a strong family foundation and instilled values and the meaning of family in their children. They loved their children, they were proud of them. Sadly, Tom died early at the age of 45 of a heart attack. Always open to love and the possibility of extended family, Sara tried marriage once more, it was short, but Sara learned many lessons from her relationships. But love, again, found its way to Sara with a 16 year relationship with her companion, Karl.

As a mom, she was strict, and loved her children passionately by wanting to raise good responsible children – and she did, she did an excellent job, but it did not happen without some battles with both Christina and Lorenzo. She strongly encouraged her son to join military school so he could better himself and remove himself from some of the negative influences of the neighborhood. He did and that experience has shaped him into a strong, reliable, and loving man. Christina and Sara bumped heads often, but as time went on they became much closer, and as time passed they have discovered they were much more alike than they realized. Christina is a strong minded, opinionated, and loving woman, just like her grandmother and mother. Sara's children were loved and raised by some very inspirational women.

Sara enjoyed a successful career as a Civil Servant Clerk with the United States Postal Service retiring after 30+ years of service. After retirement, Sara enjoyed spending quiet times in her garden, fishing with her family and friends and traveling with Karl. Some of her best travels were to Sturgis on the back of Karl’s bike.

Her greatest passion remained her family. When she became a Grandma at the age of forty with the birth of Seantino (27), she wore the title with pride and happiness. The years following Sara was blessed with three more grandchildren, Janessa (18), Devin (13) and Tahlia (9), which she got to shower with her love, her time and of course gifts, many, many gifts. Birthdays parties, Christmas’ and all holidays were always over the top celebrations. Rarely did she miss the grandson’s sporting events or the opportunity to show her granddaughters how to apply makeup, wear pretty dresses and shiny shoes. Sara was even blessed with a great-granddaughter when Seantino’s daughter, Laelani (5), was born. Sara took great pride in watching her oldest grandson become such a responsible, caring and doting father. She loved seeing all her grandchildren grow before her eyes, and she was proud to have the most grandchildren in her family.

Health injuries from work got the best of her in her later years often reducing the opportunities for what she loved to do and on December 17, 2018 at the young age of 67 she left this world. Her family will keep her alive with abundant memories, traditions, family values, and because she was an organ donor, lives were changed.

Sara is survived by her children Christina (Louie) Alvarado and Lorenzo (Danielle) Garcia, grandchildren Seantino, Janessa and Devin Garcia and Tahlia Alvarado, great-granddaughter Laelani Garcia and her companion of 16 years, Karl Bartsch.