Loretta "Gran" Jean Gomez

Loretta Jean (Arellano) Gomez, AKA “Gran” Thursday September 14, 1952 – Saturday January 11, 2025 Age 72 

Loretta Jean (Arellano) Gomez, A.K.A. “Gran”, of Denver, CO passed away suddenly on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the age of 72 of unknown causes after a prolonged battle with congestive heart failure.  Her son Greg was with her when she initially passed.  She was resuscitated and taken to Denver Health Medical Center where subsequent scans pronounced her brain dead, and her sons Joe and Greg followed her wishes and let her go home.  She was kept on life support until her grandkids, friends and other family could say their “goodbyes” and passed away peacefully at 11:49 AM, surrounded by friends and grand-kids as Joe held her in his arms and sang to her as she breathed her final breath.    

Loretta had been hospitalized at Swedish Medical Center back on December 9, 2023 with shortness of breath.  At that time she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, an Enlarged Heart, Bronchitis and likely had COPD.  She had felt like she was dying and said she was “ok with it”.  When she finally did pass she fought to her last breath. 

Loretta was born on Thursday, September 14, 1952 in Denver, CO to the union of Eufelio “Elly” Arellano and Theresa Ofelia (Ulibarri) Arellano.  She was the first of Elly & Theresa’s three children and the second child of Elly’s kids.   

Loretta met Joseph “Joe” Ernest Gomez Jr. on July 20, 1969 the day man landed on the moon on a blind date when she was just 17!  Joe and Loretta married less than two years later on Saturday, February 13, 1971 at All Saints Catholic Church in Denver, CO.  Loretta was the mother of three sons:  Joe III, Greg and Mike. 

Loretta was raised in Denver and lived there all her life.  She attended Abraham Lincoln High School and graduated from Cosmetology School.  She was once Televangelist Marilyn Hickey’s hairdresser!  Through most of her life she was a Home-maker and House Cleaner.  She also worked for the Rocky Mountain News as a telemarketer and was a secretary in her late brother Ron’s business for a time.  She worked hard all her life.  She was a GREAT Mom, Gran, Great Gran, loving daughter, sister and faithful wife.  She was a very talented artist, amazing gardener, highly intelligent, a GORGEOUS woman and the most awesome cook who made the best enchiladas on God’s green earth.   

Loretta was preceded in death in the following order:  By her Dad Elly (1986); Her Older Brother James Arellano (1987); Her Mom Theresa (1999); Her Grandson Phillip Gomez (1999); Her Grandson Onesimus “Onesy” Gomez (2003); Her Younger brother Ron (2011); Her Youngest Sister Pam (2013); Her Youngest Son Michael Eli Gomez A.K.A. Bronco Mike Gomez (2015) and finally by her husband of over 50 years Joe (2023) due to Multiple Myeloma Cancer.   

Loretta is survived by Her Oldest Son, Rev. Joseph Ernest Gomez III (Stephanie); by Her Middle Son and Primary Caregiver Gregory “Greg” Isaac Gomez; By her six Grandchildren from Joe & Stephanie: Joseph “Joey” Ernest Gomez IV (fiancé Roberta “Robbii” Gonzalez); Jacob Timothy Gomez (fiancé Cassandra Hathaway); Paul Merea Gomez (wife Krystal McComb-Gomez); Alyssa Morgan Gomez (boyfriend Conner); Silas Eleos Gomez and Timothy Ezekiel Gomez and finally by her  Brand new “Great Gran Daughter” from Paul and Krystal, Melody Lynn “Melon” McComb-Gomez  and Gus the Shih Tzu, who LOVED to go see her!  She is also survived by multiple Brothers and Sisters in-law on both the Arellano and Gomez sides of the family, as well as many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and their respective families.  Loretta was the last and oldest surviving member of her direct family.  

Her family would like to thank the Medical Staffs at Swedish and Denver Health and the Paramedics who revived her.  We would also like to thank son Greg who served as her primary caregiver, especially after Joe’s death—who helped give us one more “bonus” year with her after she nearly died in 2023.  Loretta often said she thanked God for Greg and loved him with all her heart.   

In accordance with her wishes Loretta wanted to be cremated and did not wish to have any sort of funeral services or viewing.  She will be cremated in the care of After.com in conjunction with Wilbert Funeral Services.   

Gran (Mom), you will ALWAYS and forever be missed Honey!  Now go rest honey.  Walk and run and be at peace.   

No more laundry or dishes or cleaning houses.  Just rest Momma.  We love you, Mom.