Nieves L. Corona

Our beloved Maria Blanca Nieves Corona passed away on Jan. 17, 2024, after a brief illness.  She was born on August 5, 1930, in El Paso, Texas.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Apolinar & Carmen Lozano, and her 6 siblings: Socorro Kastrin, Manual, Efrain “Frank”, Samuel, & Ignacio “Nacho” Lozano, and Soledad Arenivar.

In her teens, she met her husband, Alberto Corona, Sr., through her brother, Nacho.  At first, she saw him as just one of Nacho’s friends.  Alberto was immediately smitten with her and made a point of learning to dance to impress her.

This led to many dates dancing the night away. After he won her heart, she was truly devoted to him. The two were married in 1951 and began their family a year later with the birth of Leticia Norma.  Nicholas Paul, Anna Marie, Aida Albertina, Christina, Albert Jr., Miguel Eduardo, and Carmen Irene followed in the next 9.5 years.

Nieves spent the next 16 years raising her family, handling the family finances, and saving money to plan trips for the family.  She also prepared to return to school once the youngest child started grammar school.

She completed her undergraduate degree in education at the University of Texas at El Paso and began teaching in 1971.  While working, she continued her studies and was 9 credit hours shy of earning a master’s degree in education.  She changed her plans, ceased formal studies, and chose to continue teaching in the classroom where she could have a more lasting, impact with her classroom children.    

She was active in the Parent Teacher Association program and dedicated herself for 38 years to Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority (ADK).   ADK is a worldwide organization that provides women in education opportunities for professional growth and for collectively channeling their energies toward the good of schools, communities, the teaching profession, and the world.  She left an indelible mark holding several offices including district president, chapter president, vice president and sergeant-at-arms. She was an active and loyal sister and attended a few conventions.

Nieves was an adventurous, risk taker and was blessed with the opportunity to travel most places in the world.  She walked the China Wall, toured Europe, enjoyed Hawaiian adventures and visited the USSR during the Cold War to name a few.   She recalled how Russian citizens would approach her requesting jeans and sneakers in trade for Russian goods.

Nieves had a wicked, quick-witted sense of humor.  She loved to laugh and make others laugh too.  She was a positive influence on everyone around her and was deliberate in conserving water, electricity, and recycling.  This included converting toilet tank covers and onesies into garments for Plumitas, the family dog.

Throughout their 72 years of marriage, Nieves and Alberto always found time to enjoy a concert or go dancing.  In their retirement, they joined the Super Seniors dancing group and performed line dancing programs all over the city.  

Nieves is survived by her loving husband, three sons, three daughters, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

May her memory continue to dance in our hearts, a celebration of a life well-lived and the enduring love that will forever connect us to the remarkable soul that was Nieves.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her honor to the Alpha Delta Kappa Foundation.  The website for online donations is alphadeltakappa.org or checks can be made out to Alpha Delta Kappa Foundation, 1615 West 92^nd Street, Kansas City, MO 64114 and specify which foundation should receive the funds.

Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 8:00pm with a Rosary at 6:00pm on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass Drive.  Funeral Mass will begin at 12:00pm on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Santo Nino de Atocha, 210 S. Clark Drive.  Committal Service to follow at 1:30pm at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave.  Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast.  Please visit her online memorial at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.