July 4, 1918-July 12, 2022
Edina “Dina” Lopez Beltran passed away peacefully on July 12, 2022, at a remarkable 104 years old in St. George, Utah, where she spent the last two months of her life.
She is survived by her three daughters Gloria Stullich, Felicia Lange, Cynthia Hendershot and Cynthia’s husband Robert “Bob” Hendershot. Dina was blessed with 14 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, 60 great-great grandkids, as well as nephews, nieces and many other family and friends in her life.
Dina was born in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, on July 4, 1918, to Julian Lopez and Felicitas Sanchez, the second of six children. Her family later settled in California. When Dina was only 9 years old, her mother tragically died in childbirth. Dina and her brothers and sisters were sent to boarding schools and foster homes in the greater Los Angeles Area for a time. But despite this temporary separation, the siblings remained close throughout their lives. They all loved to laugh and got together often and told stories about their childhood.
When Dina was still in high school, she and Alfredo Beltran secretly ditched school and went to Tijuana, Mexico, to get married. Neither one wanted to tell their parents so they both just went home to their families after they got back home. When her dad found out, he made them get married properly in the U.S.
Their first home was a tent in a relative’s backyard. Dina and Alfred were blessed with three beautiful daughters, but tragically lost a son, a twin to Cynthia, at 6 months old. They lived in various places in Southern California while the children were young. Alfred worked in agriculture, for a time ran a store and ultimately boarded horses for people to ride along the ocean.
Dina got a job as a checker at a grocery store. She was a hard worker; she was frugal, and she saved her money. Eventually she was able to buy a house in in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, California, at 604 Jasmine, an address Dina lived at for the rest of her life. After her daughters got married, Dina and Alfred were divorced.
Dina was devoted to her family and fiercely protective; family always came first. Dina was about 4-foot-10, but despite her small size, she was a force of nature. She taught her kids and grandkids to stand up for themselves. She valued honesty, hard work, perseverance and education.
Dina was a daughter of immigrants who loved the United States of America and the liberties and ideals it provides. She was a patriot, and always reminded us how lucky we were to live here.
Dina was also a firecracker who worked her whole life. She continued to be employed into her 90s. She was also a talented painter. She crocheted, sewed, cooked and gardened. There was very little she couldn’t do. Never one to sit still, even at home, she was constantly busy. She could be seen cleaning baseboards, making fideos and tacos or organizing her endless mail.
We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Dina during her 104 years. Anyone who knew Dina knew not to throw something away that could be stored and used again (and occasionally some of these things were actually used again). Dina would always make sure you checked the receipt and double-counted the change after shopping, just to be sure. She taught us how to pick out the best watermelon and make the hottest salsa. And she knew not to back down when she was right . . . and Dina was always right.
Dina leaves an enormous legacy. She was loved and admired and will be greatly missed. Dina was preceded in death by all her siblings, her son, two sons-in law, three grandsons and a granddaughter. She is finally able to reunite with her parents and loved ones she has missed for so long. We have no doubt she is busy as ever helping in heaven any way she can.
Dina’s memorial service is scheduled for Saturday Aug. 13, at 2 p.m., at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St, St. George A viewing will be held before the service from noon-1:30 p.m.
Dina will be buried in California at Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary, 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, California, 92705. A graveside service will be held Saturday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m.
Family and friends who are unable to attend are invited to click here to view the funeral service online.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to click here to leave a memory on the Spilsbury Mortuary website.