Irene Hovey

We thought and hoped this day would never come. With the deepest, strongest love we have in our hearts, we said goodbye to our beautiful Irene early in the morning of Wednesday, May 1, 2019. She was 79.

Irene Ortiz Hovey was born in Pueblo, Colorado to Fermin and Rose Ortiz. The family moved to Albuquerque and Irene was named Albuquerque High School’s first Hispanic homecoming queen. She went on to help challenged children as a Special Education Assistant. She shared 62 beautiful, adventure-filled years of marriage with Bill Hovey, whose heart has a new empty space that will never be filled. Together, the two built a large loyal family that includes countless longtime cherished friends they met along the way.

Irene cared nothing of money or material things. If she had a kitchen full of laughing people, she was at peace. If you were a stranger to her at an airport, you wouldn’t be for long. Relationships. Those were her treasures. She touched countless lives with her huge smile, sparkling eyes and sharp, witty wisdom. To her five children, Debbie Aragon, Ronnie Hovey, Mark Hovey (Delia), Denise Douglass (Robert) and Deanne Otzenberger (Josh), she was a hero. To her 20 grandchildren, she was a comfort. Her sister Nancy Gandara said she was her protector. She rarely missed a basketball tournament, baseball game or dance recital. Although her many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews are without their biggest fan, we know she’s still watching. She wouldn’t miss it for the world. Irene was a proud mother, sister, wife, aunt, cousin and mother-in-law and guided all of her family through some of the roughest waters anyone could ever face, all the while standing strong and steady, keeping her own battles hidden away. The family would like to thank Sherrie Fowler for caring for Irene the past couple of years. We can’t thank you enough.

The biggest party must be happening right now with the strumming of mariachi guitars ringing through the clouds and all the dancing and red chili she can bare. Irene joins her parents; her sister, Margaret; her parents-in-law, Eva and James Hovey; her niece, Valerie Rose Florez; and so many others who went before her.

A Visitation will be held Friday, May 3, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Lomas, 10500 Lomas Blvd. 87112.  A Rosary will be recited Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Church, 5311 Phoenix Ave. NE 87110.  A Graveside Service will immediately follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd. NE 87102.

Goodbye to our beautiful Irene. Dance, our sweet angel. A day won’t pass without us thinking of your smiling face.