Zulema Mary Cordova

Zulema Mary Cordova, known to family and friends as Zoo, was born on December 21, 1920 in Trinidad, Colorado. She was the second of three children born to Mauro J. and Trinidad Cordova. Her older brother was Alfonso (AC for short), and her younger sister was Dolores (nicknamed Dodo).

Shortly after Zulema's birth the family moved to Aguilar, Colorado, where Zoo would grow up among a "league of nations", as she liked to tell everyone. Her friends and neighbors were Lebanese, Italian, Greek, Syrian, Spanish, Mexican, and African American. Zoo's own heritage was a rich blend of Irish and Mexican on her mother's side, and Spanish, French, and Native American on her father's side. Zoo loved all animals, and had some unusual pets growing up, including a deer named Daisy, and her favorite, Porky the porcupine.

Zulema worked various jobs in Aguilar, but would eventually follow a friend to Denver. There, Zoo found work at Denver General Hospital working in the cafeteria. Over the years, Zoo would work for a variety of companies including Neusteter's Department Store, Remington Arms, Packaging Company of America, and Gart Brothers. Zoo would eventually end up working 31 years in the print shop of the Corporation of America. After her mother passed away in 1969, Zoo took a leave of absence to care for her father until his death in 1970. Zoo then took a job with the City and County of Denver running their print shop. She worked there for 15 years and retired in 1985.

In retirement, Zulema would travel on tours with friends. She was quite the world traveler, having visited Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Moscow-Russia, Holland, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico, Morocco-Africa and Hawaii. Zoo loved to travel to explore new places, sample local cuisine, and experience other people's cultures.

Zulema moved to Windsor Gardens in 1997, where she continued to live independently until she was 101, when a series of illnesses caused her to need assisted care at a retirement facility. Zoo has always been known for her caring and giving spirit to her friends, neighbors, and family, as well as for her deep and unwavering Catholic faith, always being the first to pray the rosary for those in need.

Zulema was preceded in death by her father, Mauro J. Cordova, her mother, Trinidad Cordova, her brother, Alfonso Cordova, and her sister, Dolores Legas.

Zulema had a life well-lived. May her memory be eternal.