Margaret Helen Noriega (Lovato) was born to Mary Adrian Lovato (Baros) and Eliseo Lovato on June 19, 1942, in Minturn, Colorado. One of eight children, she was always proud to be their daughter. The close bonds she shared with her parents, brothers, and sisters became the foundation of the love she poured into her own family.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Bena Miller and her husband Don, and Lucy Borell and her husband Joe; her brothers, Hank Lovato and his wife Beth, Jimmy Lovato, Joe Lovato and his wife Geneva, and Fred Lovato; and her sister-in-law, Marilyn Lobato. She is survived by her brother, Bobby Lobato, and her sisters-in-law, Judy Lovato and Billie Jean Lovato. Her many nieces and nephews were dear to her, and she loved staying connected to their lives as our family grew.

Margaret married Manuel Medina, and together they welcomed five children. She is survived by her daughters, Rhonda Baca (Medina) and Becky Martinez (Medina) and her husband Rodney, and her son, Martin Medina and his wife Haley. She was preceded in death by her sons, Manuel Medina in 1982 and Ray Medina in 2002, and her son-in-law, Richard Baca, in 2023. Members of the Medina family remained close to her heart throughout her life, and she treasured those lasting relationships.

Her family continued to grow through her grandchildren: Angela Brunson and her husband Rodger; Rich Baca; Jacob Baca; Jesse Baca and his wife Candace; Bobby Medina; Manuel Medina; Justin Medina; Tenae Martinez; Rodney Martinez Jr.; Stephanie Martinez; Adrianna Hoffman and her husband Nehemiah; Chellise Cox and her husband Tyler; Brandon Medina; and Garrett Medina.

Her great-grandchildren include Jacob Brunson and his partner Paige Scott-Morlang; Domonic Brunson and his wife Alexia; Krysta Brunson and her partner Jacob Ahyo; Audrey Baca; Jacob Baca Jr.; Uriyah Baca; Jonah Baca; Mackynzi Baca; Madi Jae Baca; Melayna Eaton; Drake Eaton; Bryson Eaton; Taylor Barbin; Rodney Martinez III; Jordan Martinez; Raelynn Martinez; Journee Martinez; Greyson Hoffman; Oliver Cox; Elisea Cox; and Roman Cox. She also leaves her great-great-grandchildren, Luke Brunson, Lainey Brunson, and Mattie Scott-Morlang.

In 1984, Margaret married John Noriega, welcoming five stepchildren and additional grandchildren and great-grandchildren into her life. She shared a beautiful bond with John’s sister, Bea Merill, and Bea’s husband, Don. She also welcomed John’s mother, Mary Noriega, into her home and cared for her for an extended time toward the end of Mary’s life. Margaret is survived by John; her stepchildren, Mike Noriega and his wife Larissa, Dwayne Noriega, Monica Tanner and her husband Rory, and Lance Noriega, family friend Chris; along with their families; and her sister-in-law, Bea Merill. She was preceded in death by her stepson, Eric Noriega; her mother-in-law, Mary Noriega; and her brother-in-law, Don Merill.

Margaret loved being part of our lives. She wanted to hear our news, celebrate our accomplishments, and be there for the moments that mattered. Baptisms, birthdays, graduations, sporting events, competitions, and weddings gave her reasons to travel many miles, and she hated missing any of them. We remember summers with her, watching movies, sharing family stories, and laughing until we cried. The youngest person in the house was usually the boss when she was around. Somehow, she made everyone feel certain they were her favorite.

Her love of Christ was a steady part of her life. She shared that love through church childcare and jail ministries, giving her time and care to others. She was a godmother to many and had the joy of standing beside them at their baptisms and confirmations, serving as a sponsor and sharing in their lives of faith. When illness kept her from attending church, she continued to find comfort in worship and televised services at home. While caring for her mother, she also volunteered with senior citizens. Looking after people was part of her life, both within our family and beyond it.

Throughout her working life, Margaret loved jobs that brought her into contact with new people and gave her a chance to make a difference. She worked at Piggly Wiggly in Grants, the Marriott in Vail, and the Turntable restaurant in Minturn. Her work with Eagle County held a particularly special place in her heart. Fluent in English and Spanish, she helped families facing language barriers find the assistance and services they needed. She took such pride and joy in that work, and many of the families she helped became lifelong friends. She ended her career working for the Town of Gypsum.

Margaret was warm, loved to laugh, and was a whole lot of fun. She was a proud cat mom to several cats over the years. She enjoyed traveling, music, dancing, sharing meals, and every chance to cheer for the Denver Broncos. She loved her soap operas, telenovelas, and chick flicks, and watched all 19 seasons of Heartland at least five times. She took pride in remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and dates the rest of us might forget. Celebrating others brought her joy, and no accomplishment was too small to celebrate. Whether we were marking a special occasion or simply spending an afternoon together, the time we shared meant so much to her—and to us.

Having Margaret close to family in Grants for the past three years gave us more time for the conversations, laughter, and everyday moments we will now hold so dear. On October 11, 2026, at the age of 84, our beloved Margaret entered into the loving presence of her Lord. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly.

We are deeply grateful to our extended family and friends for the condolences, meals, and many expressions of love and support during this difficult time.

Our family would like to thank the Grants Fire Department, the staff at Cibola General Hospital, Compassus, Dr. Rocha, and Mt. Taylor Mortuary for the kindness, compassion, and care shown to Margaret and all of us throughout her illness and passing. We are deeply grateful for the comfort and support you gave our family when we needed it most.

Please join our family as we gather to celebrate Margaret’s life on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at New Life Assembly of God, 480 Nottingham Road in Avon, Colorado. Following the service, we will lay her to rest beside her mother and father, as she wished, at River View Cemetery and Mausoleum, 806 Cemetery Road in Minturn, Colorado.

Afterward, we invite everyone to join us at the EagleVail Pavilion, 538 Eagle Road in Avon, Colorado, to share a meal, tell stories, and remember Margaret together. She loved bringing people together, and it means so much to have those who loved her gathered with us.

We will miss her stories, her laughter, and having her here to share our lives. Most of all, we will carry with us the love she made sure we felt.