Margaret T. Valdez

Margaret T. Valdez went to her heavenly kingdom on the early morning hours of February 25, 2024. She died peacefully in her sleep. Margaret’s passing brings a strong sense of loss to her family as our family matriarch has passed on. 

Margaret T. Valdez was born on September 27, 1926, in the small rural Northern New Mexico community of Ledoux, New Mexico. She passed at a life-fulfilled 97 years of age. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband and best friend of 48 years, Reinaldo Manuel Valdez who passed on June 7, 2002. 

She was born into a ranching and farming family. Her father, Jose Presentacion Trujillo and mother Ambrosita Aerts Trujillo and her eight siblings, Eloisa (Juan Maez), Teodorita Ortiz (Pedro), Magdalena Neurauter (Manuel), Isabella (Bessie) (Leonor Romero), Francis (Leandro Campos), Dolores (Manuel Velasquez), Joe Trujillo (Lourdes), Pete Trujillo (Delfina). Being the youngest of nine children many of her close relatives and friends predeceased her in life. 

Margaret T. Valdez was a woman of priorities. She always placed God first in her life and passed her strong faith onto her family. Margaret was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Altar Society at Sacred Heart Parish in Espanola.

Margaret graduated from Highlands University and began teaching in one-room schools in Mora County. Her love of teaching and her students later took her to the Espanola Valley.  She taught in the Espanola School district from 1950 until 1953 when she married the love of her life, Reinaldo M. Valdez. 

Margaret returned to the classroom in 1967 and remained there until her retirement from the Espanola School System in 1983. While teaching and raising a family, Margaret attended the School of Mining and Technology at New Mexico Tech University in Socorro, New Mexico where she earned her Master’s Degree in Earth Science. 

Margaret was also a member of Amigas Del Valle, a group of women who initially formed as a Chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). It is from Las Amigas Del Valle that Margaret and Reinaldo had their closest friends.

Margaret spent the last ten years with her daughter Maria and family in Dallas Texas. Margaret was always surrounded by family, which included frequent visits from her sons and their families throughout the ten years. Margaret was well cared for by family and our very special friend Bertha Manzano.

Margaret leaves many close family and friends including her children Alex and his wife Rosemary, Edward and Melissa and Maria and her husband John Pouwels. Margaret also has eight grandchildren, Jessica (Tim Maestas), Alexis (Scott Darnell), Angela (Charles Alonen) Rebecca (Chris McKee), Eddie and Danny Valdez and Carlie and Danielle Pouwels. She also has five great grandchildren, Jude and Lucas Darnell, Hailey and Clare Alonen and Isabella Maestas and many other loved relatives. Special appreciation and love also goes to Bertha Manzano and to the staff of Washington Pointe 

The Catholic Rosary and Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 4, 2024, starting with the Rosary at 9:30 am, led by the Sacred Heart of Jesus Altar Society, followed by the Mass at 10:30 am with Father Dominic Pierson presiding. A reception at 11:30 am in the Parish Hall and Internment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:30 pm. 

Honorary Pall Bearers include grand-nephew Dr. William Abeyta, Scott Darnell, Charles Alonen, Tim Maestas, Chris McKee, Harold Trujillo and Danny Rarick.