Crucita Vigl

Crucita Vigil, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away on October 9, 2014. Crucita lived a full, wonderful life and was able to celebrate her 92nd birthday on September 29. Crucita was born in Valdez in 1922. She served her country by joining the Army. Her military service was in the Midwest where she met her first husband, Stanley Witka. They had two sons, Stanley and Bert Witka. Crucita courageously left an abusive marriage and moved back to Taos with her boys. While working at the Steakhouse she met the love of her life, Ruben Vigil. Ruben and Crucita were married on January 8, 1950 and spent fifty-seven years together. They had three more children; Yolanda, Katie and Orlando. Crucita loved her Taos, her mountains, her family. She loved to dance, she loved all the rides at the amusement park and later in life she learned to love the casino. Crucita was a people person; she talked to everyone, made friends easily and had an amazing number of friends.

Crucita was preceded in death by her beloved mate, Ruben and by her three sons, Stanley, Bert and Orlando, and various brothers and sisters.

She is survived by sisters Eufracia Montoya (Arturo) and Cora Bennett (Ron), brothers Ray Montoya (Dana), Abran (Theresa), Ignacio (Ernestine), her daughters, Yolanda Vigil-Henderson (Mark) and Katie Vigil; five grandchildren, Dawn Marie (Witka) Otero, Ruben Witka, Crucita (Witka) Clinton, Meredith Amy (Witka) Viola (Anthony), and Joshua Daniel (Megg Hoover); ten great grandchildren: Jaime Otero, Rudi Otero and Casey Otero, Eryn Witka, Vanessa Clinton, Maya Clinton, Isabella Viola, Vincent Viola, Agnes Daniel, Isaiah Daniel; and four great great grandchildren, Jose, Omar, Ava, and Justice. Crucita and Ruben also provided loving day-care to Sarah Nesbit Chacon and Mark Hayman for years. During Crucitas last years she became very close to her caregiver, Bernadette Archuleta and handyman Joe Lovato.

Rosary was recited on October 14, 2014. Funeral Mass was held on October 15, 2014. Both were held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with interment following at the Valdez Cemetery.