Tomasita "Tommie" (Sarmiento) Ayala

Tomasita "Tommie" Ayala, passed peacefully at home as she wished on January 6, 2026.  She was 92, born on September 22, 1933 to Manuel and Filomena Sarmiento.

She is preceded in death by her two daughter's Anita P. Ayala and Veronica M. Ayala Ruschena, her parents, five brothers; Donisio, Rito, John, Lolo and Manuel Sarmiento, two sisters Marina Villegos and Emma Ramos.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Nick Ayala, her son John (Mona Lisa) Ayala, her daughter Connie Ayala, daughter Andrea Ayala, sisters Virginia Herrera, son--in-laws Troy Sheppard and Vic Ruschena. Grandchildren; Jeremy (Shannon) Ayala, Stephanie Roybal, Jennifer Roybal, Stevie Hazelton, Samantha (Brent) Bryant, Layne Hazelton, Vonny Ruschena, Valentino Ruschena, Victor (Jessa) Ruschena. Great-grandchildren Miguel Ayala, Alyssa Ayala, Melanie, Raymond and Devon Montoya, Isabella and Nathan Lovato, Wiley, Hunter and Lily Bryant,  Lydia, Van and Veronica Ruschena.

She wasn't able to continue her education after the 8th grade, so that she could work along side her mother and father in the fields on the farms and traveling to Utah to pick apples on the orchards. This upbringing brought her strength, independence and never complained about what ailed her.

She wasn't a social butterfly by all means but she enjoyed her Bunco club that she was in for a very long time and family get togethers.  She enjoyed sewing, making her daughters dresses for everyday wear, wedding and Quincinera.  She enjoyed watching her soap opera (Days of Our Lives) and shopping, she bought for herself but not leaving out her kids and grandchildren.

She had a great sense of humor, a contagious laugh, some great come backs always at the right time and once in awhile a dad joke.  Most of all the biggest heart we will all miss dearly. 

 Memorial Mass at 10:00AM, Friday, January 16, 2026 at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 1016 Mystic Ave., Canon City, Colorado.  Burial to follow at San Juan Baptista Cemetery, Hyw 67 and Victory Lane, Florence, Colorado.  Reception to follow at St. Joseph Hall, 622 W. 2nd Street, Florence, Colorado.

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