Lorenza Tafoya Hughes

1931 - 2025

LORENZA (LORI) GARCIA TAFOYA HUGHES

December 21, 1931 - October 29, 2025

Lorenza was born in Santa Rita, New Mexico, the eldest child of Ramona Garcia Tafoya and Vidal Avalos Tafoya. Her father worked in the copper mines, and her mother was a homemaker and restaurant cook. Santa Rita later was razed to make way for additional copper mining operations. Lorenza did not care for her first name, and eventually most family and friends called her Lori.

Lori graduated at the top of her class from Hurley High School in Hurley, NM in 1950. Despite this achievement, she was given the second-best college scholarship because the next-best student was male and she was informed that he would need to support a family, whereas she would not. Her career in education spanned 51 years, and her income helped support two daughters, three stepchildren, and countless others who benefited from her generosity.

At Western New Mexico State College Lori continued to excel, making top grades while working part-time at the college. After graduation, she was recruited by the Bakersfield City School District. She worked as a teacher at many schools throughout the district, attending night and weekend courses to earn a master's degree in education and an administrative credential. She was a principal at Harris, Mt. Vernon, and Eissler elementary schools. She retired in 1991 to take care of her sister Esther who was very ill. After Esther's passing, she worked another 12 years as an interim principal and mentor, and she also supervised student teachers. Lori's tireless work on behalf of the district's students led to her induction into the Bakersfield City School District Hall of Fame in 2013.

In March 1957 she married Dale Hughes, who she met at a Methodist church dance. (Neither one was Methodist, but they both liked to dance!) They had their two daughters, Laura and Theresa, in 1958 and 1960. Both the Hughes and Tafoya families had frequent family gatherings and camping vacations. In her limited spare time, Lori loved to read, garden, and go to the casinos, especially the ones in Laughlin, NV. She was active in the California Retired Teachers Association, Kern Division, and in the Democratic Women of Kern.

Lori was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dale, of 46 years; and her younger siblings Esther, Vince, and Jose. She is survived by her daughters Laura Haywood (Brian) and Theresa Louie (Wayland); her cherished grandson, Daniel Louie; her sister, JoLynn Moralez, and brother, Don Tafoya. Also surviving are her stepchildren, Richard Hughes (Laural), Carolyn Lopes (Douglas) and Michael Hughes (Susan), along with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank mom's caregivers - especially Xochilt, Elizabeth and Lori's niece, Debbie - for their tireless dedication and assistance.

Visitation and rosary will be held on Thursday, November 13, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Greenlawn Cemetery Northeast. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, November 14, 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, followed by interment at Greenlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lori to the California Retired Teachers' Association Kern Division scholarship fund. Please make a check payable to the KCSOS Education Services Foundation c/o Kris Eastridge and mail to P.O. Box 6275, Bakersfield, CA 93386-6275.

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