Shirley - Age 63 - Santa Clara Pueblo Tafoya

SHIRLEY ANN “CACTUS BLOSSOM” TAFOYA, also known as Berda, the youngest daughter of the late Alcario “Swallow-in-the Mist” and Maria Margaret “Corn Blossom” Tafoya passed away early the morning of Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at the family home in Santa Clara Pueblo after a short illness. Berda was born at Santa Clara Pueblo on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1947. After attending Santa Clara Day School and Espanola Public Schools, she graduated from Espanola High School in 1964. She then obtained certification as a medical technician and worked at Espanola Hospital until 1973, when she decided to enter the family business of making traditional Santa Clara Pueblo pottery. Berda excelled in producing award-winning red and black carved miniatures. She endeared herself to her large clan family by offering advice and assistance to younger members whenever needed. To them she was an advisor/mother, dance coach, teacher, and storyteller. In the 1990s, she became the lead caretaker of her aging parents and remained so until their passing in 1995 and 2001.\r\nIn 1975, Berda met the love of her life, her soulmate Leonard J. Tafoya. They established a home in Santa Clara Pueblo and after 33 years together, they were married on October 16, 2010. Berda and Leonard enjoyed bowling and attending pow-wows around the country in addition to participating in Traditional Winter People Clan ceremonials.\r\nBerda was preceded in death by her parents; Alcario & Margaret Tafoya; grandparents, Geronimo & Sarafina (Gutierrez) Tafoya and Epifanio & Andreita (Baca) Tafoya; brothers, Lee, William Roger, Phillip, and Kenneth Tafoya; sisters, Virginia Ebelacker, Mela Youngblood, and Jennie Trammel; father-in-law Joseph F. Tafoya and brother-in-law, Mike Tafoya. Mrs. Tafoya is survived by her husband, Leonard Tafoya; stepsons, Matt and wife, Naomi Tafoya of Santa Clara Pueblo and Greg Tafoya and Julie Lucero of Albuquerque; sisters, Toni & husband, Ted Roller of Santa Clara Pueblo, LuAnn Tafoya of Pojoaque Pueblo, and Mary Esther Archuleta of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo; brothers, Leo Tafoya and Wayne & wife, Diane Tafoya, also of Santa Clara; mother-in-law, Trudy Whitecloud Tafoya, brother-in-law, Bob Tafoya, sister-in-law Linda Okazaki all of Colorado Springs CO; and brother-in-law Dennis Tafoya of Hermosa Beach, CA. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.\r\nViewing and Wake will begin on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. the family home in Santa Clara Pueblo. Recitation of the Holy Rosary for the repose of the soul of Berda Tafoya will be held at 7:00 p.m. Fr. Larry Brito will preside at the Mass of Christian burial on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the Santa Clara Tewa Mission. Interment will be at the pueblo cemetery followed by a luncheon reception at the family home. The Tafoya family has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.\r\n

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