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BEATRICE VIGIL 1912 - 2011 Beatrice Lopez died peacefully in her sleep on 10 August 2011 at her apartment in the El Castillo Residence Home, Santa Fe, New Mexico where she has lived since 1999. Born in Clayton, New Mexico, Bea spent much of her early childhood in Bueyeros, New Mexico, perhaps the happiest and most fondly remembered period of time in her life. She graduated from High School in Clayton, and immediately began teaching in rural schools in Bueyeros, Los Vigiles near Las Vegas, New Mexico, and Tecolote, New Mexico. During that time she also attended Highlands University, eventually receiving her BA and MA degrees there. Her life's work and vocation, and her greatest pleasure, came from teaching, and she devoted herself unconditionally to her students and to their success. Most of her professional career was spent teaching in West Las Vegas schools, from the time she married Blas A. Lopez of Las Vegas, New Mexico, in 1934 until she retired in 1979. They enjoyed a rich and varied life together, and were married for sixty five years, living primarily in Las Vegas, New Mexico, then later in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. After the death of Blas, Bea moved to El Castillo in Santa Fe. Beatrice became the staunch matriarch of her large extended family, known for her generosity and for her solid reliability, playing the role of family mainstay for family members both older and younger than her. She regarded her extended family as the central focus in her life, and loved nothing more than family gatherings and outings rich in the exchange of news about current family doings and old family stories, all garnished with plenty of delicious and simple Nuevo Mexicano food, of which she was master cook. We will miss her fantastic white tortillas, thick and soft, and of course her special holiday treats: empanaditas, biscochitos, torta de huevo, panocha, chicos and pastelito. She is survived by her immediate family, two children, Marie Jeannine Lopez of Sacramento, California, and Bernard Lopez, of Tesuque, New Mexico; four grandchildren and their families, Raqhel Lopez, Antonio Lopez, Nicola Lopez and Clea Lopez. Memorial services will take place in December in Santa Fe, public notice will be given prior to that time. In lieu of flowers, people are urged to make any contributions in her name to El Castillo. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Services, 1399 Luisa Street, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, (505) 984-8600. Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com
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