Aurelia G. Madrid

Aurelia G. Madrid, was born on November 30, 1924, and passed away on December 22, 2024. When asked her name, she would proudly respond, "Aurelia Graciola Rodriguez Madrid". 

She is preceded in death by her parents Rosa and Jose Rodriguez; her siblings Mary, Ray, Joe, Robert, Rosita, and Dolores, and her great grandson Estevan. 

She is survived by her children Anna Rogers, Evelyn Erhard, and son Mario; grandchildren Miguel, Antonio and Krista; great-grandchildren Tyler, Lorenzo, Sofia, Andre, Enrico, Isabella, and great great grandchildren Leandro and Alianna.

Aurelia was born in Gallina, New Mexico, then her family moved to Espanola where she could walk across the street to go to school. Aurelia worked at the local hardware story during the time of her high school graduation. After graduating from high school she met her future husband, Joe. While in San Antonio for Joe's basic training, she worked for the Army translating mail from Spanish to English. Upon return from Ontario Field in California, they built a home on a lot in Espanola given to them by her parents. Later they lived in Santo Nino, then in Los Alamos, before finally settling in Santa Cruz and their forever home. She was an administrative assistant at the Los Alamos National Laboratory for 35 years. 

Aurelia was smart, comprehensive, caring, very sweet, kind and the epitome of graciousness and class. She and Joe enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing. Aurelia was an avid bowler, first bowling in a league with her sisters. She had many games with over 200 pins. She bowled with her teammates Imelda, Lynn, Mary and others until she was 95 years old.

Aurelia was a great cook and baker, and she rarely used any recipes or directions using just her instincts and memory. She and Joe would pick fruits and vegetables from their garden and fruit trees, then she would roast and peel green chili, freeze and can them, and bake the best apple, cherry, and raspberry pies. She was also a pretty good seamstress and often made her clothes, blankets and aprons.

Just like her husband Joe, Aurelia would not be pried from her home. She lived a good long life always proud of all her family's accomplishments. She will be deeply missed. A truly lovely lady.

A Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 12:00 pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, NM, with Mass to follow at 12:30 pm.  Burial will take place at 2:30 pm at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.

The family of Aurelia Madrid was entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. www.devargasfuneral.com 505-747-7477