Manuela Lopez Herrera

Manuela Lopez Herrera, age 80, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025, in Sunnyside, WA. She was born on October 29, 1945, in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, to Trinidad Jose and Juana Lopez.

Manuela met the love of her life, Manuel Herrera Jr., when they were high school sweethearts in 1962 at Mabton High School. The two were married on September 16, 1964, and together built a beautiful life filled with love, resilience, and family. They went on to have four children: Eddie Herrera, Manuel Herrera III, Angie Gagnon, and Patty Roe and also raised nephew, Jesse Lopez and nieces, Margie Lopez & Marina Lopez.

Everyone who knew Manuela knew how deeply she cherished the simple joys of life—gardening, cooking, sharing meals, and spending time surrounded by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, friends, and her beloved dog, Rocky. Her presence was warm and welcoming; there was always an open seat at her table.

Manuela will always be remembered for her contagious laugh, her bright smile, and her unwavering love for the Seattle Mariners. She had a giving spirit and never missed an opportunity to cook or bake for others. Her home was a place of comfort, nourishment, and generosity, a reflection of the love she poured into the world. 

She will be missed every single day, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.

Manuela was preceded in death by her parents, Trinidad and Juana Lopez; her brothers, Jesus Lopez (Maria Magdalena) and Angel Lopez; and her sister, Sara Lopez Ortega (Peter).

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Manuel Herrera Jr.; their four children, Eddie Herrera (Lisa), Manuel Herrera III, Angie Gagnon (Paul), and Patty Roe (fiancé Dan Cochran). She is also survived by her nephew Jesse (Renee) Lopez and nieces, Margie Lopez & Marina (TJ Gleesing) Lopez, as well as her siblings Elsa (Serapio) Herrera and Gigi Lopez (Enrique) Ortega. She will also be remembered with love by her grandchildren: Jessica (Brad) Walters, Paul Boyd Gagnon, Natalie (Andrew) Willis, Samantha (Zac) Gomez, Courtney (Nate) Ruane, Vanessa Herrera, Cassidy Roe, Megan Roe, and Isaac Roe. Her great-grandchildren—Bella and Olivia Walters, Sawyer and Seger Gomez, Jude Willis, and Olivia Ruane—will carry forward the joy and gentleness she shared with them.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 4:00 p,m, to 8:00 p.m. with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.  Funeral Liturgy will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA. In lieu of flowers to make a Memorial Donation to the American Lung Association.  Those wishing to sign Manuela's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com 

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