Elvira Mossman

Elvira A. Mossman Obituary: By Jake Jr., Carla and Jason

Our Mother Elvira A. Linda Mossman of Taos, New Mexico passed away on April 27th, 2015 at our family home in Taos.

Our Mom was born on December 11, 1938 to Alicia Olivas-Martinez and Maurilio Martinez of Taos, NM and she is the sixth sibling of 13 Martinez children. Mom graduated from Taos High School in December, 1957, and married the love of her life, our Dad Jake R. Mossman Sr. of Questa, NM on February 11th, 1957 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Taos. Mom supported our Dad Jake Sr. early in his career and they moved to San Diego, California after he separated from the Marine Corps, but they eventually moved back to their home state settling in Taos, NM to raise their family. She was a loving Mother and stayed home to raise her three children Jake Jr., Carla and Jason until the youngest started kindergarten, and that is when she started her career working for the Taos Municipal School District as a teachers aide. Mom was a very intelligent woman and pursued her undergraduate studies in elementary education while attending Highlands University on weekends and summer breaks. Her dedication resulted in earning her Bachelors degree in elementary education in December, 1988 with endorsements in bilingual education (Spanish). Mrs. Mossman as referred to by her elementary students, taught for 26 years before retiring in 1998. She could remember poems written by her students and recount stories of specific instances that touched her during her years in the classroom. Her co-workers describe her as patient and calm with her students. One Mother credited Mom with helping her painfully shy son to raise his self-image and grow into a confident young man. Many of her students and parents relate similar successes. Our Mothers accomplishments are incredible considering that she worked through all this having to cope with 2 major heart surgeries and other procedures due to complications from an early childhood ailment.

Living on Santistevan Lane for over 48 years, our Mom helped to raise the neighborhood children in many different ways, such as making her famous tortillas, sewing for them, and helping the kids with their homework. She was a wonderful neighbor and was loved by families such as the Santistevans, Aragons, Romeros, Cotas, McGinnis, Montoyas, Durans, Maestas, and Bozadas. Our Mom had many interests and hobbies which she studied and mastered over the years, they included; sewing, crochet, quilting, poetry, reading and making the best tortillas of anyone we knew. After her retirement our Mom kept herself busy volunteering throughout the community, working at galleries in town, serving her church and her most cherished way of spending her time was caring for her grandchildren. Grandma Linda was the one person anyone in the family could count on during difficult times. Her caring and generosity always came with a few words of wisdom, but most of all with her unconditional love.

Our Mother was especially proud of her three children and they meant the world to her. Her son Jake Jr. was her first born and her eyes would light up as she talked about his accomplishments in education, entrepreneurship, sports and his support of the Taos Municipal School district serving as a school board member and school board president, and also his community service which resulted in him being honored as Citizen of the Year for Taos in 2007.
Her only daughter Carla was truly a gift to her and blessed her with compassion, caring and the intelligence she inherited from our Mom. Mom was always excited to hear about Carlas travels across the country, and other countries such as China where her business ventures took her. Carla also blessed Mom with three of her dearest grandchildren, and lived near our parents and was always there when they needed her. Mom was also very proud of her third child and baby of the family, Jason. She supported Jason during his career in United States Air Force and prayed day and night when he was deployed to the war in Iraq in 2004. Mom rejoiced when Jason retired from the Air Force in 2009. She was also very happy when Jason graduated with a degree in Munitions Technology, and was hired as Deputy Group Leader (IT Manager) at Los Alamos National Laboratory where he currently works.

Grandma Linda shared her pride with all her grandchildren and often highlighted their accomplishments in conversations with family and friends. Mom most recently attended the graduation of her granddaughter Angela as she received her Graduate degree with a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico Highlands University. Grandma rarely missed a birthday party, and last celebrated with her great granddaughter Camille Mossman for her 6th birthday. The day before Moms passing she was told she was going to be a great grandmother for the fifth time as her grandson Isaac Gonzales and his girlfriend Tamar are expecting a baby soon.

Our Mom was married to our Dad for 54 years before his passing on October, 20th 2011, which left her heartbroken and missing her soul-mate. Over the past three and half years our Mom spent most of her time with her children and grandchildren. Our Mother was a devout Christian and parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Taos. As members of the Catholic Daughters of America, she and our sister Carla served their community and parish together until our Moms passing. Our family is comforted in knowing that Mom passed away in her sleep with the rosary in her hand.

There is so much more to say about Mom, Grandma and Mrs. Mossman and like our Dad, if you knew our Mother your life is probably better for it. We love you Mom, God bless you and rest in peace.

Our Mom is survived by her children Jake Mossman Jr. (Becky his wife), Carla Mossman, and Jason R. Mossman (Amanda his wife). Mom has 12 wonderful siblings; brothers, Gonzalo E. Martinez (Eva his wife), Leonides