Lou, the Bouquet & Mountains

The largest image of Lou comes from a 1971 Longmont Times-Call photo of Lou getting a bouquet-of-the-month award for her RTD work. She helped to establish bus service in Longmont.

Echevarria painted Lou in a sepia tone to identify her as an important Longmont historical figure. The blossoms represent her vibrant legacy; their upward movement shows its continuous renewal.

The mountains, Longs Peak and Mount Meeker, overlook a barn and silo, representing Lou’s family’s farm in Longmont.

Lou at the Senior Center

Lou working at the Senior Center she founded in 1971. The First National Bank donated the use of a small building on 4th Ave between Main Street and Coffman where Lou created a welcoming place for seniors to enjoy activities and social gatherings. Lou served on the Longmont Senior Center board, advocating for Latinos and making it welcoming to all.

Lou & Her Husband

Eloyeda “Lou” Bitalia Pacheco Cardenas and her husband Jose Gabriel Cardenas when they were young. Lou did not drive, so Joe faithfully took Lou to all her community meetings.

Hands Holding Rosary

Lou’s Rosary held by her daughter’s hands. Lydia Gomez modeled her lovely hands holding her mother’s Rosary. Lou’s Catholic faith anchored her in this life and motivated her community building work.

Lou Making Empanadas

In 1995, Lou’s grandson, Julian Lontine, photographed his grandmother’s hands making empanadas. This image represents Lou’s gracious hospitality. Her children remember getting off the school bus to the smell of baking bread and pasteles (Mexican pastries) wafting from their home.

The Cardenas Family's Early Life

Lou’s teenage daughters, Mary Susan (front left) and Mary Rose, (front right) are pictured harvesting onions with other workers in Longmont during the 1950s. Echevarria painted this in an Impressionist color palette so the detail of the image didn’t pull the viewer’s focus away from the large image of Lou.

Lou's First Church

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rainsville, New Mexico where Lou was born in 1918. Lou attended mass here as a child until her family moved to Longmont in 1929. The church is still active today. The church and landscape’s blue-green hues show Lou’s down-to-earth New Mexico life, says muralist Mario Miguel Echevarria. The orange yellow sky represents a guiding, inspirational light from above that Lou maintained her entire life. The bright sky palette also serves as a beacon-like tool for the mural to compete with the active streetscape nearby.

The Artist's Signature

We are grateful to Longmont artist Mario Miguel Echevarria for bringing Lou's legacy to life.