Florence Poulin Jaramillo

Florence Jaramillo

December 23, 1930 – September 22, 2025

Florence Jaramillo, known to thousands as “Mrs. J” of Rancho de Chimayó Restaurant, died peacefully Monday, September 22, 2025 at her home. For sixty years she welcomed us to Rancho de Chimayó - loyal locals as well as visitors from around the world who became longtime friends. Her smile greeted every guest. Her warmth embraced us. Her food nourished both the people and the culture.

Florence Jaramillo’s long, illustrious journey on this earth earned many awards, yet what she valued were the people she touched. Florence’s hearty laugh, her iron will, her determination are what drew thousands of people who stood by her desk to bask in the light of her eyes. The wonder of life is what Florence shared with every person - whether customer, employee, community member, national champion.

Florence was Chimayó’s champion - of the culture, the people, the heritage of every ingredient in the family recipes served. Luscious flavors flourished under Mrs. J’s guidance, with strict adherence to the history and legacy of the Jaramillo family traditions.

Faith in God was Florence’s foundation. “A journey with God completed” is the reflection of Father Sebastian, Holy Family Church. The Catholic Church guided Florence’s spiritual, personal and professional life.

People have come to Rancho de Chimayó for the food. They leave with a blessing, words from Mrs. J to carry them, to raise them up. Customers became friends, frequently returning to their restaurant home. After or before a favorite meal, most visitors stopped by Mrs. J’s desk for a hug, a story, a photo that became a cherished memory.

People have come to Rancho de Chimayó for a job. If they leave, they leave with a challenge to grow, to learn, to help the world. Florence hired more than 30,000 locals, many of them for their first job. “God gave me one child, but I’ve raised thousands.”

Raise them she did. When a young dishwasher’s family needed food, it was provided. When a server lost her energy to complete her last semester in college, she found it in Mrs. J.

Florence fought tooth and nail for her staff. When a young employee wasn’t carrying their weight, they heard what needed to happen. Employees were summoned to her spot, the desk where Mrs. J commanded all that occurred at Rancho - where she mentored, counseled, praised and chastised her employees. Hearing the words Mrs. J. wants to see you meant your life was about to change.

Challenge drove Florence’s life. Born in 1930, into the devastation of the stock market crash, Flo adapted early. At seven, she took her younger siblings shopping for shoes.

“I was lucky in life. People taught me what I needed to know. Now I teach others.”

Florence met Arturo Jaramillo in Connecticut while he was in the Armed Forces. Together, in 1965, they created and opened Rancho de Chimayó. Florence became Mrs. J, the vision, the heat, the heart of Chimayó. “For all of us…this restaurant is one place the way of life here stays alive.”

Florence will stay alive in the restaurant, our stories, our memories. She will stay alive in history, as an award winner and advocate. Out of over a hundred awards, Mrs. J found this the most memorable: “The Lifetime Achievement Award” from the National Restaurant Association in 1987. So many others, including the 2016 James Beard Foundation American Classics Award. In 2017, Mrs. J received the first “Women’s Restaurant Award” from the New Mexico Restaurant Association. More awards fill the wall.

Pre-deceased family who welcome Florence into heaven: Her parents, Florida (Le Blanc Poulin) and Albert Poulin. Brothers George J. Poulin, Edward J. Poulin., Joseph O. Poulin. Sister Mary C. Ortiz. Brothers-in-law Joseph Sisneros, Tony Sisneros, Robert Sisneros.

Florence stays alive in the hearts of her family and friends. Daughter Laura A.(R. Thomas) Ross. Lauren B. (Erik R.) Nielsen, granddaughter. Donna Merritt, niece. Joseph Ortiz, nephew. Sisters-in-law Emelda G. Sisneros, Genevieve Sisneros, Geraldine Hopkins. Many more family members hold her in their hearts. Nieces, great-nieces, nephews and great-nephews.

Services: Holy Family Catholic Church.

Rosary: 8 a.m. October 18, 2025.

Mass: 9 a.m. October 18, 2025

Reception immediately following at Holy Family Church Parish Hall

Donations: Chimayó Museum, 13 Plaza Cerro, Chimayó, NM 87522

The Sisters of the Carmelite Monastery, 49 Mount Carmel Road, Santa Fe NM 87505

Monastery of Christ in the Desert, Forest Road 151, Abiquiu, NM 87510

The family of Florence Jaramillo has entrusted the care of their loved one to Devargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   505-747-7477