Joanne Donna Barela

JOANNE DONNA BARELA (MAMACITA)

Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and friend passed peacefully on October 31st with her family surrounding her after a long battle with dementia.

Joanne was born on March 29, 1938 in Montrose, Colorado to Steve Ulibarri and Rita Cordova. As a young girl growing up in Montrose, she enjoyed spending time with her cousins and her Grandma Ulibarri. It was in Montrose where she met the love of her life, Rudolph. They were married on July 29th, 1958, in Durango, Colorado. They had run away to elope and on the night of their wedding their celebratory dinner was a hamburger and a milkshake. It was a tradition that followed every year. Even after the passing of Rudolph she continued the tradition of their wedding dinner every year.

Rudolph and Joanne welcomed three beautiful children into their family, Rudy, Steve and Pam. They raised their family in West Jordan, Utah where they were lucky enough to have many relatives living close by.

Mamacita was versatile in many skills and had many different occupations from fast food, seamstress, to General Electric warehouse. Perhaps her greatest career was matriarch of her family. She was renowned for her unconditional love and the deep impact she had on those around her. She always sought to encourage those around her to be the best they could be. She made everyone she met feel like family.

She enjoyed ceramics, cake decorating, and scrapbooking. She loved to travel to see her family and new adventures in Europe. Her favorite place to visit was Rudy (David) in Southern California where she would escape to in the winter. She also enjoyed cruises, trips to Mexico, Hawaii, and traveling abroad to Austria, Italy, Greece and Turkey with family and friends.

She is survived by her children Rudy (David), Steve (Cathy) and Pam Evans, along with her eight grandchildren, Barela, Valerie, Sharee, Amber, Ashley, Tara, Kierstyn, Daxton and seven great grandchildren, Hayden, Gracee, Averee, Carter, Sam, Oliver, Mack. She is also survived by her sister, Louise Medina, brothers, Steve Ulibarri and Ernie Ulibarri, along with numerous Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, and adopted family members.

She is preceded in death by her late husband Rudolph Barela, who preceded her in death on March 24, 1993, after 34 years of marriage. She is also preceded in death by her parents, numerous family members and close friends.

A viewing will take place Wednesday November 6, 2024 beginning at 11:00 am, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 pm

Interment will follow, at Memorial Redwood Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT.