Eloisita Archuleta

Eloisita Consuelo (Connie) Archuleta, 82, passed into the arms of the Lord on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 after a brief illness.  She was born on August 26, 1938 in Tierra Azul, NM.  She grew up in Ranchitos, NM and lived there for most of her life.

On April 15, 1956, she married Leocadio (Leo) Archuleta Jr., and together, they raised four children and raised them to be faithful Christians. Her priorities were God, family and friends.  She was a woman with very strong faith, humble, giving, hardworking and very loving.

She was a very talented seamstress and would sew beautiful clothing for her children and beautiful and fashionable outfits for herself. Her children have wonderful memories of their childhood going on camping trips around northern New Mexico and mom cooking a delicious meal on the campfire and later in the evening roasting marshmallows. Connie made the most delicious homemade jams and canned peaches and was a very talented baker, baking some very tasty and beautifully decorated cakes. Another activity the family enjoyed was going to the Starlighter Drive in Theater on Wednesday nights to watch the Spanish movies of Antonio Aguilar. She also loved listening to music and loved Spanish music and country western. Some of her favorite artists were Freddy Fender and Wanda Jackson.

Connie was a member of the San Juan church choir, taught catechism for many years, and was a Eucharistic minister and would distribute communion to the sick by going to the hospital and to the homes of those who were home bound. She also loved going to Prayer Meetings and Bible Study and attending the Holy Mass.

She enjoyed gardening and always had a beautiful flower garden. At one time she raised chickens and even had names for all of them, including one she named Elvis. When her children were grown, she worked at the Espanola Senior Center as a cook and later became head cook at the Hacienda de Salud Nursing Home in Espanola. She was a loving and caring daughter to her parents. When they became elderly, she cared for them at home until the time of their death.

As she became elderly, she learned to weave and created some beautiful tapestries. She also enjoyed jewelry making and made many beautiful necklaces. She also enjoyed watching Telenovelas and concerts on Spanish Television.

She was preceded  in death by her mother and father Isidro and Anita Maestas and an older sister that died as an infant before she was born, and Leocadio L. Archuleta Jr.,  She is survived by her sons and daughters, Luis Archuleta (Michelle), Leo P. Archuleta  (Loretta), Patsy Archuleta, and Annette aka 'Angel' Espinoza,  six grandchildren, Deanna Flores, Melissa Montano, Ashley Archuleta, Brandon Archuleta, Santiago Espinoza, and Avielle Archuleta, three great grandchildren, Matthew, Alexis, and Braydyn Archuleta and many cousins.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.  at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la  Canada Catholic Church, with a burial to follow at Holy Cross  Cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers, Brandon Archuleta, Matthew Archuleta, Elmer Lujan, James Lujan Sr., James Lujan Jr., and Javin Lujan. The family of Eloisita Consuelo (Connie) Archuleta has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley.