Dulcenea (Vigil) Trujillo

Dulcenea Trujillo, 98, a resident of Las Vegas, NM, after receiving her last rites peacefully surrendered unto the hands of the Lord on Thursday, January 25, 2024 of natural causes in El Dorado (Santa Fe), NM.  Dulcenea Vigil was born at Solano Ranch to Aurelio and Predicanda Vigil.  Being the second eldest of the clan of 11 children, Nea learned the value of assisting in the chores of taking care of younger siblings, the household and ranch tasks, chopping wood, planting and harvesting crops. Nea grew up in a humble background yet learned the values of family, hard work, respect, duty, honesty in everyday affairs. She was practical and frugal as her world was growing up during the Great Depression and though the fuel and rationing of World War II.

            She graduated from the eighth grade and attained her GED while in her forties.  She valued education, as her mantra was “study hard and make me an A.”  She traveled with her husband, Filadelfio, who worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, to Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas until the family settled back to New Mexico in 1962, first in Melrose then Fort Sumner, for Edward to attend school.  Nea worked as a motel housekeeper for over a year followed by taking care of the residents of the Pecos Valley Nursing Home as a nursing assistant.  For over 20 years, she was dedicated in taking care of the aged and the infirm.  Compassion and empathy was reflected in the care and love for her patients and family.  Her work ethic was reflected in never called in sick and covering for staff shortages.

            The community of Fort Sumner and the Catholic parish knew her.  She greeted everyone with a smile and small talk.  She volunteered to serve others during the St. Anthony’s Fiestas, walk to church to dust and sweep, and clean the clergy residence.  She received from the Archbishop of Santa Fe accommodation for her unselfish service to the parish of St. Athony.

She loved to walk.  It was her everyday exercise until she wasn’t able.  In her last days, she would take pride that she walked or exercised.  Nea thought of others by making phone calls, sending letters and cards throughout the year, especially during the holidays.

            Even during her days of suffering, she hardly complained of her discomfort, remarkably silent.  Caregivers and medical professionals were concisely met with her gratitude and politeness.  She read her prayer book daily and she would ask to view the Sunday Catholic Mass on the television.  She loved to read the Readers Digest, books, and the weekly De Baca County News.  Nea married Filadelfio, a ranch neighbor, at the age of 22.  They had three children, Leonore, Charlie (deceased), and Edward.  They had 5 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

            Nea and File moved to Las Vegas to be closer to family.  She passed in serenity and peace in Santa Fe after receiving her last rites from a priest.  A veil of peace came over her from the Holy Spirit, allowing her to pass confidently into the hands of the Lord.

            A visitation will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024 from 1-4 in St. Francis Chapel at Gonzales Funerals & Cremations, 2315 Hot springs Blvd. Las Vegas, NM.  A rosary will be recited at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Monday at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. The interment will follow in the San Antonio Cemetery in Los Montoyas, NM. The family requests that memorials to be sent to the Building Fund at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 403 Valencia, Las Vegas, NM.

Dulcenea is survived by a daughter and son, Leonore and Joe Montano, Edward and Lenora Trujillo; grand-daughters: Annette Newman and grandchildren Daniel and Patrick Herrera; great-grandchildren: Isaac and Calliope, Alexandria Avila, Annette’s wife, and her daughter, Isabella. Sandra Newman and her daughters Karlene, Marisol, and Jessika Archuleta; Edward and Ela and their children:  Jonathan and Shayla Trujillo, Arthur and Lily Yarotski; Nea’s sisters and brothers: (Luis Vigil and Tilley), Josie and (George), Richard and Carol Vigil, Rosie Lucero (Tito), Corina Salas (Joe), Leo Vigil and MariLou Gurule, and (Bessie and Joe Lopez).  A neighbor or hers, Isaiah Montoya who called her "Grandma", Eloy Trujillo (Margaret), (Mary Baca and Isa), Frances Trujillo (Filemon), Aurora Montoya (Julio) and (Briget Montoya and  Vicente). ( ) indicates deceased. 

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