Socorra (Cora) Cornejo Lopez passed away at home surrounded by family on Saturday, October 30 at the age of 97.

She was born on March 16 1924 in San Bernardino, CA to Jose and Maria Cornejo.  Her family moved to Lompoc when she was 5 years old, and she attended local schools.

Cora married her husband, Tony Lopez, in December of 1940.  They were married for 63 years and had 2 children, Gloria, and Anthony.

Cora was active in the Lompoc community.  She was a founding member and treasurer of the Mexican Social Organization. They coordinated a youth dance group where she taught them the traditional Mexican dance routines and created many of the dancer's colorful dresses and costumes. The group performed at various community functions. The Mexican Social Organization was active with the Lompoc Flower Festival sponsoring the popular quesadilla booth. She served for many years as a volunteer poll worker for local elections. She was a faithful parishioner of the La Purisima Catholic Church and attended church weekly until Covid interfered with regular services.

During the 1940's Cora worked at the Rexall Drug fountain counter, and later in life as a waitress at the Lompoc Valley Club and at Sal's Restaurant.

Cora's true calling was taking care of her grand and great-grandchildren. She left the workforce in 1967 when her first grandchild was born and took an active part in watching and caring for her subsequent grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Maria Cornejo, husband Tony Lopez, brother Joe Cornejo, sisters Betty Alvarado, Alice Contreras, Carmen Medina, and son-in-law Ken York.

She is survived by her daughter Gloria Lopez York, son Anthony (Sandy) Lopez, grandchildren Michelle (Jerry) Friar, Denise (Mark) Woltmann, Ryan (Amber) Lopez, and great-grandchildren Monica Friar, Naomi Lopez, and Joshua Lopez. She is also survived by siblings Rosie Perez, Ruben Cornejo, Gilbert Cornejo, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cora will always be known and remembered for her kindness, generosity, and love for her family and animals. Family and friends were always a priority to her.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Superior Hospice of Lompoc and to her caregivers: Maria, Sophia, Denicia, Carmen, and Lorraine.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 11, 4:00-5:00 pm (family) and 5:00-8:00 pm (public) as well as Vigil and Rosary at 6:30 pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.

Services on Friday, November 12 at 10:00 am at La Purisima Catholic Church. Burial immediately following at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.  Reception to follow at the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building.

Memorial donations may be made to VIVA of Lompoc, www.vivashelter.org , or to the Santa Barbara County chapter of the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org/cacentralcoast .