Maria Olivas, mom to four, friend to many, has died at age 38

Maria Olivas, age 38, of Wellington, received her wings and was taken to heaven on Feb. 6, 2014.

Maria was born in Fort Collins on May 7, 1975, to Marlena Friend Farago and Ray Pigg. Maria graduated from Poudre High School in 1993 and married Christopher Olivas on Jan. 5, 1996. The couple stayed in the Fort Collins area, living in LaPorte for several years and then moving to Wellington where they raised their three children.

Maria worked at Cantina Liquors, forming many friendships throughout the small community of Wellington. Everyone knew who she was and when someone did not, they were introduced. She loved getting the family together and going out to eat every Sunday afternoon. She enjoyed camping, watching movies and laughing with everyone. As long as she was surrounded by family, she always had fun and was her happiest.

Maria is survived by her four children, Cetera, 17, Winter and Tallon, both 15, and Mystrie, 4. She is also survived by her ex-husband and forever soul-mate Chris Olivas; father, Ray Pigg (Debbie); mother, Marlena Friend Farago (Andrew); her sister, Michelle Ahlbrandt (Joe) of Fort Collins; her brother, Billy Pigg (Alicia) of Severance; her grandfather, David Friend, 93, of Odessa, Mo. and countless other loved ones and cherished friends.

From Maria’s Facebook page: “Lunch with family and friends…Priceless! Oh, and my goofy kids!”

Maria was a forever lover and rescuer of animals of any kind. She and her family request that in lieu of flowers, donations on her behalf can be made to the Larimer County Humane Society in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, CO 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.

A memorial service was held at Bohlender Funeral Chapel.