Olivia Lopez Kesler

Olivia Lopez Kesler

September 23, 1939 – February 23, 2022

Olivia L. Kesler passed away peacefully on February 23, 2022, due to a lengthy illness.  Born Maria Olivia Lopez in Pecos, NM, Olivia graduated valedictorian from Pecos High School and attended New Mexico Highlands University where she met her husband of 61 years, Clark Kesler.  Olivia was preceded in death by her parents, Esequiel and Terecina Lopez (Pecos, NM).  Olivia is survived by her husband, Clark (Rio Rancho, NM), her children: Perry (Rowe, NM); Mike and wife Margaret (Silver City, NM); Darrell and wife Jill (Sioux Falls, SD); Shawn and wife Amy (New Berlin, WI) and Cheryl Scheibeler (Centennial, CO), along with ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her siblings: AnnaBelle Rivera and husband Oliver (Nambe, NM); Kelly Lopez (Albuquerque, NM); and Leon Lopez and wife Soledad (Santa Fe, NM).

Following college, Olivia worked at Albuquerque National Bank and retired after thirty years in banking from Bank of America, holding various positions including Corporate Secretary for Sunwest Financial Services.  Olivia volunteered for many years with the nonprofit Casa Angelica and was a long-standing member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Rio Rancho.

Olivia loved travel and shared many memorable experiences with her husband and family, including trips to Australia, Europe, Spain, Canada, Mexico and all over the United States.  She loved cooking, music and dancing, teaching all of her sons how to dance on the kitchen floor of her home in Rio Rancho where her family moved to in 1964.  She taught her daughter and all the women in her life how to be beautiful, independent, strong and nurturing.  Grandchildren and great-grandchildren all felt safe, loved and well fed at “Grandma’s House”.

Olivia loved to smile and laugh, making many a friend in her lifetime.  She held a fervent belief in prayer, and family members and friends will be forever grateful to Olivia for her faith and prayers on their behalf.  We now pray Olivia rests in peace, joy and love.

A rosary for Olivia will be prayed at St. Thomas Aquinas, 1502 Sara Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, NM at 10:00 am on March 7, 2022 with a funeral mass at 10:30 am and reception to follow at the parish hall.  Burial will be at 2:30pm at Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Rd. SE in Rio Rancho.

Olivia’s family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Hospice de la Luz, Harmony House and Casita Senior Living.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Casa Angelica, 5629 Isleta Blvd. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105.