Susie Herrera

Susie V. Herrera, age 97 years and 6 months, of Nambe, NM, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, July 19, 2020.

Susie was born on January 25, 1923 in Cundiyo, New Mexico to Pedro and Petrita Vigil. She was raised in Cundiyo in a large family consisting of thirteen brothers and sisters. Susie was considered a tomboy as she spent her day’s enjoying the outdoors, fishing, working in the garden, and picking up bales of hay. She preferred the outdoors over being inside helping her sisters with the cooking and household chores.

Susie is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Ramon Herrera.  Ramon was Susie’s soulmate. Although they were opposites in many ways, they had a strong bond that could never be broken and were seldom separated from one another. Susie dedicated her life to taking care of her family. She loved music and dancing, cooking, gardening, and more importantly, listening to and being supportive of her family. She was always willing to listen and provide sound advice and prayers, no matter what the problem. For the majority of her life, Susie gathered the entire family by hosting dinner every Sunday and family gatherings on holidays at her home with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. This was a ritual that will be greatly missed. Everyone looked forward to her delicious meals especially her red chili, green chili stew, and tortillas.

Susie will forever be remembered for her kindness, quiet yet loving demeanor, her dedication and unconditional love for her family.  Although Susie appeared to be very reserved, she had a mischievous personality which brought joy to those who knew very well.

Susie is survived by her children and their spouses: Frank (Frances) Herrera, Joe (Mary Alice) Herrera, Eloisa (Joe) Gallegos and Carrie (Robert) Borrego; her cat, Kitty who was her pride and joy; thirteen grandchildren including Joseph Herrera who was like a son to her; sixteen great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; her siblings and their spouses: Floy (Harry) Drake,  Carlos (Lydia) Vigil, Stella Roybal, Benina Trujillo, and Florence Lesperance; her brother-in-law and his spouse: David (Josephine) Herrera; her sister-in-laws: Emma Herrera and Maria Herrera; and many nieces and nephews.

Susie is preceded in death by her husband Ramon Herrera; her parents, Pedro and Petrita Vigil; her in-laws, David and Manuelita Herrera; her sisters and their spouses, Rebecca (Emiliano) Vigil, Rosina (Blas) Martinez, Emelina Vigil, Carmella (Carpio) Romero, Elvira Vigil, Floy Vigil (the First), and Bertha Vigil; her brother and his spouse: Robert (Pulita) Vigil; Brother-in-laws, Cornelio Trujillo, Amos Roybal, and Larry Lesperance.  Susie is also preceded in death by her husband’s numerous siblings and their spouses.

Serving as pallbearers are: Joseph Herrera, Eugene Borrego, Chris Vigil, Matthew Vigil, Benicio Quintana, Mark Romero, Edward Crespin, and Jeff Crespin.  Honorary pallbearers are all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren.

Public visitation will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory. This includes extended family, nephews and nieces and close friends.  However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are allowed up to 75 people to attend the public visitation.  Masks are mandatory and must be worn at all times.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday, July 27, 2020 at Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church in Pojoaque.  After the mass, she will be laid to rest at the Nambe Catholic Cemetery.  However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, and in an attempt to keep Susie’s family safe, we are only allowed up to 65 people to attend the mass.  This includes her immediate family, her siblings, close nephews and nieces and a few close friends.  Masks are mandatory and must be worn at all times.

Special thanks to Dr. Patrick Samora, and the Nambe Center, especially to Mai Quintana, Susan Perez, and Monica Atencio, for the care of our beloved Mother.  The family of Susie Herrera has entrusted their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of Espanola, NM. 505-747-7477