Margaret Smith

Margaret Montoya Smith passed away peacefully at her home in El Rancho on Thursday, January 21, 2021. She was born on November 23, 1927 in Truchas, New Mexico to Senaida and Herculano Montoya. She was called by our Heavenly Father to join her husband Chester Smith and grandson Jason Carrillo. She is survived by her children Frank Smith and wife Connie, Chester Smith and wife Rena, Jeffrey Smith and wife Diane, Susan Padilla and husband Dennis, and Ida Carrillo and husband Alex. Ten grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

She lived in Truchas but spent her summers with her Uncle Jose and Aunt Pilar in Chimayo, New Mexico where she helped them care for their orchard. As a teenager she helped her mother sell her weavings by traveling to Espanola to the Trading Post.

After finishing school Margaret went to work in Los Alamos, New Mexico and later at Bishop’s Lodge in Tesuque, New Mexico where she met her husband Chester Smith. Chester and Margaret were married on October 29, 1952 and moved to Los Alamos where Chester worked for the Atomic Energy Commission as a security guard. They raised five children together. In 1961, they moved to El Rancho, New Mexico. When their children entered high school, Margaret went to worked for the Pojoaque School district in the school cafeteria until her retirement in 1974. During her retirement she helped Chester with his retirement business managing the Southwest Llama business where she taught herself to weave llama wool.

After her husband’s death in 1991, she started attending the senior center in El Rancho where she discovered the weaving looms and offered to teach weaving. As the class in El Rancho grew Margaret helped procure a larger room built for the weavers. She taught weaving for 25 years in both El Rancho and Santa Cruz and made many good friends.

Margaret also enjoyed dancing and attended many dances throughout northern New Mexico. She also taught her friends at the senior center how to line dance.

Margaret enjoyed many different arts and crafts including weaving, crocheting, knitting, sewing and tin work.

Margaret was a strong, faithful woman who endured hardships and celebrated successes. She loved the Lord. Margaret was proud of her five children, eleven grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Due to COVID-19 services will be private for immediate family only. Services will be held January 27 at Crossroads Bible Church and burial following at the National Cemetery. Pallbearers are Scott Smith, Steve Smith, Raymond Smith, David Padilla, Connor Smith and Matthew Carrillo.

The family would like to express special thanks to the Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service and especially Julie for their loving care for Margaret. In lieu of flowers memorials of remembrance for Margaret can be made to the Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service https://lavns.com/.

The family of Margaret Smith has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of Espanola Valley.

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