Longtime Del Norte resident Maria Irene Ermalinda Lujan, 81, passed away on November 1, 2016.  She was born on December 19, 1934 to Carlos and Lucia Tafoya in Del Norte, Colorado.  She married Max Lujan, Jr. in Taos, New Mexico on September 25, 1954.  She enjoyed spending time with her family. In her spare time she loved to quilt, do puzzles, clip coupons, shop and make all birthdays and holidays very special for her family. She enjoyed singing with her church congregation and loved everything Christian. She was a faithful prayer warrior and spent much time reading her bible and sharing her knowledge with others.

Irene is survived by her children; Maxine Lujan of Monte Vista, Marlene (Ceferino) Hernandez of Del Norte and Max C. (Kristen) Lujan of Winnemucca, Nevada, her grandchildren; Cher (James) Voyles, Kimberlee (Joe) Romo, Mia Martinez, Marisol Hernandez (Benito Sanchez), Letishia Lujan, Chelsea Lujan (Robert Myers), Nick Lujan, Madison Lujan, Max E. (Cyndney) Lujan, her great grandchildren; Damian Gallegos, Gerald A. Garcia (Blanca Luna), Karinzza Voyles, Brandon Cordova, Zoee Romo, Xhayden LeBlanc, Zaylee Lujan, Caricia Salazar and Jacob Salazar, her great great grandchildren; Amilio Cordova and Gerald Garcia III, as well as her siblings, Ubaldo (Phillip) Tafoya of San Ramon, California, Rose (Ben) Dicus of Hayward, California, Esther (Jose) Garcia of Gardenia, California, Charlene (Frank) Padilla of San Jose, California and her brother-in-law Terry Karas of San Francisco, California, brother-in-law Art Lujan (Val) of Utah,  as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Eileen Lujan, her siblings: Fred & Betty Tafoya, Edward & Margo Tafoya, Joe & Mary Tafoya, Lloyd & Bertha Tafoya and her sister Helen Karas, as well as two sons-in-law, Adrian Archuleta and Edward Martinez. In addition, also in heaven awaiting were Max Sr and Fedelina Lujan; Chlorie & Eufracio Gallegos, John Lujan, Nela & Fred Clarke, Leo Martinez, Christine & Clayton Wetherill along with various nieces and nephews.

Cremation was selected and a Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held on April 1, 2017 at 10:00 am at the New Life Fellowship Church in Del Norte with interment at the Del Norte Cemetery