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Eva Jane St. John Herrera passed away at home, with her family by her side on Sunday, March 4, 2007, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. The first of five children, she was born in Las Cruces, NM, on September 4, 1932 to Marshall and Jesusita St. John. Eva graduated from Las Cruces High School and Hotel Dieu Nursing School of El Paso, TX as a registered nurse. She was married on March 5, 1954. As a military wife for more than 20 years, Eva and her family were stationed in many places across the country and abroad. With each move, she transformed every house into a safe haven; combining her aesthetic flair with a domestic proficiency, so that no home ever felt temporary. She was a devoted mother, wife, sister, daughter, grandmother and great-grandmother who dedicated her life to caring for her family. Her love for her family knew no bounds, choosing to spend her life as a mentor, a teacher, a friend and loving partner. She raised her children with strength of character, and the courage to navigate the world, secure in the knowledge that they would always be unconditionally loved and always have her support, should they fall. Firmly entrenched in her unparalleled devotion to each of them, her grandchildren reaped the richness of her kindness and generosity. Although we will miss her, we are fortunate to have had her to guide us this far. We will pay tribute to her life by celebrating the rest of our lives, knowing that she will continue to inspire us from heaven. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Henry; four children, daughter Kathy Valdovinos, and husband, Henrique, Joanne Herrera, Jeanne Herrera and husband, Ellery Edwards, Henry Herrera II and wife, Patricia; and five grandchildren, Karl Hedges, Sara Bewley, Catlin Herrera, Colin Edwards, and Amanda Edwards; one great-granddaughter, Isabella Bewley; brothers, Marshall St. John and wife, Carmen, Robert St. John, and Freddie St. John and wife, Delia; sister Celcelia Ulibarri and husband, Lee; as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Eva will lie in state Wednesday, March 7, 2007 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, where a Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated Thursday, at 9:30 a.m. at Church of the Risen Savior, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE. A committal service will be held Monday, March 12, 2007 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UNM Women's Health Clinic for Breast Cancer c/o The Development Office MSC:084630, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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