Obituary of Patricia Refugio Holguin

Patricia Refugio Holguin, a resident of Chimayo, NM passed away peacefully on July 12, 2021. She leaves us with lasting memories of her goodness, kindness, selflessness, generosity, and capacity for forgiveness.

Patricia was born on November 28,1952 to Seledon C. and Josephine V. Martinez in Espanola, NM. Surrounded by an extended family of teachers, she developed an inquiring mind and a love of learning in early childhood. Patricia’s school days were active ones filled with participation in a number of academic, club, and sports-related activities. She attended Santa Cruz High School for two years where she was a class officer and was a member of the Science Club, Future Homemakers of America, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Crusaders Pom Pom Squad. In her junior year, she transferred to McCurdy High School where she studied hard and was challenged to excel in the classroom by great teachers including Gwen Pringle who Patricia held in high regard. Her hard work was rewarded when she graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 1971.

An academic scholarship to New Mexico State University led her to Las Cruces, NM where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education/Library Science and a Master’s Degree in Education. Her allegiance to Aggies basketball and football teams was cemented in her college years and she remained a big fan throughout her life.

Patricia’s teaching career began in the Las Cruces Public Schools first working as a school librarian and then as an elementary school teacher for many years. She concluded her teaching career in northern NM in the Espanola and Penasco School Districts. Patricia absolutely loved teaching young children and she excelled at creating fun and engaging activities to spark their interest in learning and encourage their creative expression.

Patricia had many interests and passions. Among them were poetry, art, history, dance, music, sports, and game shows. She found beauty in the smallest of life’s details which she expressed by writing simple, yet impactful poems, several of which won awards.

She enjoyed visits to Santa Fe museums, art galleries, and Spanish and Native American Art Markets. She was inspired to develop her own artistic style which she expressed in beautiful paintings, sketches, wood art, and collage design. She was not one to sell her work; rather, she found joy in gifting her creations to persons who had shown her kindness at some time in her life.

Patricia loved to twirl! She was in her ‘happy place’ when she was dancing to music or singing along to “musica del norte.” Her radio was always tuned to KDCE and when her favorite bands, Perfeccion, Severo y Grupo Fuego, and Cuarenta y Cinco played locally, you were sure to find her dancing rancheras and singing along in the concert crowd.

She loved watching all types of sporting events, her favorites being those in which her nieces and nephews participated. She was also an athlete. She carried forth her father’s running legacy by competing in a number of Fun Runs, 3K, and 5K road races over the years. Remarkably, she won medals in many of them without having trained very much in advance!

Playing along with Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune game shows was a favorite pastime of Patricia’s. Weekday evenings were devoted to sharing a meal and a friendly competition with her mother to see who could answer the most questions or first solve the mystery puzzle. Her mother admits that Patricia usually came out the winner.

Patricia embraced her roles as a loving daughter, sister, and the “cheerleader” aunt; but her role as a mother was her life force. If you were fortunate enough to be present when she gazed at her children’s faces, you would have witnessed sheer pride and unconditional love. Sergio and Ana were the loves of her life and were ever-present in her thoughts and prayers. Her fondest wish was never one for herself, but for them. She wanted them to live a wonderful life.

Patricia is survived by her children, Sergio Holguin (Tara), grandchildren Ada Jae and Felix of Phoenix, AZ ; daughter Ana Lucia Holguin (Spencer) of Lansing, MI; her mother, Josephine V. Martinez; brother, Seledon V. Martinez (Geri); and sisters, Cecilia J. Daniels of Sheridan, IN and Valerie J. Martinez; nephew, Randy J. Martinez (Gloria), great nieces Michaela and Marisa; niece Rhonda Evenhus (Jeremy), great nephew, Kyle, and great niece, Lauren; Godmother, Adelina M. Vigil; Aunt Euralia M. Vigil; Aunt and Uncle, Susie and Abel Martinez, and numerous cousins and friends.

Patricia was predeceased by her father, Seledon C. Martinez, maternal great grandfather, Victor Ortega, and her namesake, great grandmother, Refugio; maternal grandparents, Manuel and Alfonsa Vigil; paternal grandparents, Severo and Julianita Martinez; endeared Aunts, Neria Ortega and Elma Bal; brother-in-law, Melvin J. Daniels, and several departed aunts, uncles, and cousins from the Martinez and Vigil families.

A Catholic mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 30, 2021 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Parish, Chimayo, NM. A private burial will be held at a later date. Current COVID-19 protocols will apply.