Celina Carrillo

Celina Atencio Carrillo, 89, passed away peacefully with family at her side on Thursday, April 2, 2015. Celina was preceded in death by her parents, Tobias and Beneranda Atencio, her brother Tobias Atencio and wife Cora, and her brother Alfonso Atencio. She was born September 8, 1925 in Velarde and settled in Taos after marrying Luis T. Carrillo in 1946. After becoming a widow in 1968, Celina began working for the Taos Municipal Schools cafeterias. She had a 22-year career in foodservice, which included owning a cafe in Taos. In 1989, she retired to Velarde to be close to her brother, Alfonso, and sister-in-law, Emma. “Sally,” as most friends and family called her, was formidably crafty and excelled at crocheting and embroidering, and handmade fine gifts for every holiday. She was fond of word search puzzles, reading, good conversation, baking—especially biscochitos and banana bread—and was proud of an extensive collection of matching salt and pepper shakers collected on her travels. Above all else, Sally was extraordinarily generous and helped family members in need, without exception. She lived a steadfast, deeply principled life, was welcoming of everyone and will be deeply missed by many. She is survived by her sister-in-law Emma, close nieces Annabella Fresquez and husband Robert, Ruth Gutierrez and husband Johnny Ray, as well as their children and grandchildren. Celina is also survived by several nieces and nephews, a stepson, Leroy Carrillo and wife Mary-Ann of Albuquerque, as well as 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and a special godson, Kenneth Gordon. Since 2008, Celina had been a resident at the Española Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where she became an outspoken and active member of the community. Her family wishes to send heartfelt thanks to the center’s staff for their years of care and outpouring of support during Celina’s last few days with us. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Velarde, with a burial to follow at 3:00 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it was Celina’s wish that donations be made to any charity of choice. The family of Celina Atencio Carrillo has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley.\r\n \r\n \r\n

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