Lourdes L. Adams

Lourdes (Ramos) Lugo Adams of Littleton, Colorado, passed away peacefully Monday, October 16, 2023, surrounded by family following a prolonged fight. Lourdes was a beloved mother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be deeply missed by countless people who were impacted by her selfless love and generosity.

Lourdes was born October 22, 1959, in Santurce, Puerto Rico, to Ignacio Lugo and Teresa Ramos. She was the fifth child in a family that would eventually encompass eleven siblings. Lourdes spent the first twelve years of her life on the island where she developed her lifelong love of music and flowers. A naturally gifted singer, Lourdes regularly performed on the live television show "Olga and Tony" as a girl.

As a young woman, Lourdes joined her parents and siblings in the Bronx, New York. Reunited after several years apart, Lourdes quickly reintegrated into the family’s dynamic and happily embraced her role as a big sister to her younger brothers and sisters. During this time, she grew close with her cousin, Nydia "Puruka."

Following graduation from Jane Addams high school, Lourdes attended Grace Institute, where she earned a certificate. This led to a job at Crum & Forster where Lourdes met her future husband, James “Jim” Buchannan Adams III, through a mutual friend. The couple had an adventurous courtship that included concerts, roller discos, trips to the theater and conversations about their similar interests. After two years, Lourdes and Jim married on March 22, 1982, in Queens, New York. The newlyweds were blessed with two wonderful children, Yadeira in November 1982 followed by James IV in July 1986.

In 1989, Lourdes, Jim, and the children moved to Littleton, Colorado, for James’ work. The family settled in the new community of Roxborough, which was just being built. Lourdes dove into the growing community, serving as a leader in the elementary school’s parent-teacher organization, organizing neighborhood functions for her cul-de-sac, and serving as the treasurer for the Roxborough Booster Club as Yadeira and James progressed through school. Never one to remain idle, Lourdes worked for several years for the Roxborough Metro District. In 1998, Lourdes joined Palo Alto, Inc., where she remained until her death. During her more than two decades at Palo Alto, Lourdes forged deep and lasting relationships with countless co-workers as she advanced to the role of office manager and executive assistant to the owner/CEO.

Lourdes loved to entertain family and friends, cooking elaborate spreads and hosting holidays and special events, and cheering on the Broncos on Sunday afternoons. She was an avid gardener and transformed her front and backyards with the assistance of James and her children into a private oasis that attracted a variety of birds, occasional bears and an adventurous mountain lion..

While she left Puerto Rico as a young lady, her love for the Isla Verde and the coqui never waned. She was excited to visit the island in 2022 with her children for the first time in several decades.

Lourdes is preceded in death by her parents, Ignacio Lugo and Teresa Ramos; her husband, James Buchannan Adams III; and brothers, Ivan, Jose and Alberto "Spooky." She is survived by her daughter, Yadeira (Aaron) Adams Burnett; son, James Buchannan Adams IV; siblings, Carmen “Cusa,” Carlos, Lucy, Angel, Teresa, Louis, and Ralph; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be held at 10AM on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Columbine United Church. Light refreshments will immediately follow the service at the church, with a lunch reception at Lourdes' company Palo Alto Inc at their corporate office, 5654 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Village, CO 80111.

For those unable to attend the Memorial Service, it will be live streamed: https://www.youtube.com/c/ColumbineUnited

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lourdes to American Heart Association www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give or the Food Bank of the Rockies, www.foodbankrockies.org

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