Virginia V. Mares

Virginia V. Mares

April 26, 1933 – February 12, 2023

With great sadness in our hearts, the family of Virginia V. Mares regrets to announce that she passed away on February 12, 2023, at the age of 89.  Our mother, grandma, sister, niece, aunt and friend passed away peacefully in Edgewood, NM.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, Arsenio and Elena Vigil; her brother, Juan Vigil; her sister, Priscilla Sanchez; her daughter, Yolanda Archuleta; and her grandsons, Matthew Mares and Gabriel Mares.  

She is survived by her sisters, Donelia Romero, Edalia (Dolly) Lucero and her husband Jacobo (Jake); her brother, Ruben Vigil and his wife Linda; her children, Diane Wolfzahn and her husband Ralph (sons: Joseph, Benji, Billy and Josh); her son, Phillip Mares; and her daughter,  Jeanette Mares-Jones and her husband Sean Jones who took care of her for the previous four years (son: Eugene); grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews,  and numerous loving and caring friends who were constant companions throughout her life.  .

Virginia was born on April 26, 1933, in Española, NM to Arsenio and Elena Vigil.  She was raised in Española on La Loma, attended El Rito Normal School and graduated from Española Valley High School (home of the Hornets). 

Virginia worked for the State of New Mexico in Santa Fe, NM for various state agencies and relocated to Albuquerque, NM and eventually retired from the Youth Diagnostic Development Center (YDDC) after 30+ years of service.  Upon retirement, she enjoyed: doing arts & crafts, painting, working in her yard, embroidery, attending the Senior Services Center, cooking, going to the casino, volunteering at the Soup Kitchen, visiting with her numerous friends and family, travelling and was involved in the Sacred Heart Society of Sacred Heart Church. 

Services will be as follows: 

Rosary and viewing on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. 

Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Española, New Mexico.  Burial to follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Eugene Gurule, Andrew Pacheco, Bond Martinez, Ronald Lucero, Billy Mares and Pat Chavez

Honorary Pallbearers: Jacobo (Jake) Lucero, Alfredo Lopez and Richard Rodriquez

Flowers may be sent to DeVargas Funeral Home or donations may  be made in her name to Sacred Heart Society (Sacred Heart Church), Española, NM or the Soup Kitchen, Española, NM

The family of Virginia Mares has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of the Española Valley. (505)747-7477 www.devargasfuneral.com