Josie E. Lujan

March 19th, 1942 - September 18th, 2017

Biography


Josie E. Lujan, 75, a lifelong daughter of Chimayó, departed this life on Monday, September, 18, 2017. She was a journalist, historian, and published author/folklorist, the recipient of a bicentennial award, a National Endowment for the Arts award for the study of Spanish colonial dramas, “Los Moros y Cristianos” and “Los Pastores”, with exhibits at the Smithsonian, the American History Encounters Project; a Ford Foundation grant for study in Spain; and a UNM grant for study in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in the Humanities from the College of Santa Fe.
Josie strongly encouraged education and career development, and supported scholarship programs including the Presbyterian Espanola Hospital Foundation, the MANA del Norte Scholarship program, and the Christopher Montalvo Memorial Scholarship. She was a champion for the people of Northern New Mexico and served many years in numerous organizations, including: Presbyterian Espanola Hospital Foundation, Community Board of Trustees, and Hospital Auxiliary; the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary; the MANA del Norte Scholarship Program Committee; the Santa Cruz Irrigation District Board of Directors; and the New Mexico Acequia Association. She was a former Commissioner of the State of NM Acequia Commission, and a long-time associate researcher for Rio Quemado, Rio en Medio, Rio Frijoles, and Rio Santa Cruz Stream System Community Ditch Associations.
Above all else, Josie devoted her life to raising her family in the Catholic faith. She planted the seeds for a love of books, passion for travel, and pursuit of life-long learning, and continued to nurture these values in her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and god children.

She is preceded in death by husband, Joe Percy Lujan of Pecos, fathers Leandro Espinoza and Jose Erineo Espinoza, mothers, Magdalena Trujillo Espinoza and Pilar Cordova Espinoza, brothers Ernesto and Ben, sister Celsa Quintana, father-in-law Jose A. Lujan, mothers-in-law Genoveva Garcia Lujan and Melinda Valencia Perez, and grandson Christopher Montalvo.

Josie is survived by her five daughters: Mary Esther (Tom Lucero), Mary Rose (Michael Montalvo), Mary Jo (Kenny Martinez), Mary Beth, Mary Margaret (Stephen Ney); grandchildren: Valerie Huerta, Nathaniel Montalvo, Theresa Toomey (Jack), Benjamin Huerta, LeeAnne Montalvo, Adeline Ney, Sienna Ney, Diego Lucero, and Carlos Lucero (Maggie), great-grandchildren: Eric David Giron, Darren Giron, Christopher Montalvo-Ruiz, Nicholas Toomey, Mateo Toomey, Brenden Lucero, and Olivia Lucero; special friend Del Valdez; sister Martha Vigil; sisters-in-law Ruby Marchant and Theresa Espinoza; uncles Narciso Trujillo and Guadalupe Trujillo; brothers-in-law Lydro Perez (Elva) and Robert Perez (Mary); and many other relatives and friends.

Josie’s passion was northern New Mexico—its people, land, acequias, and traditions—and her happiest days were spent working in her garden. She will be greatly missed by all.

Rosary service on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 7pm at Santa Cruz de la Cañada Catholic Church.

Funeral Mass on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 10am at Holy Family Catholic Church in Chimayó.

Committal Services will be public and will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at 2:15 PM at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.


The Family of Josie E. Lujan have entrusted the care of their loved one to Rivera Family Funeral Home and Crematory of Espanola, New Mexico.

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Family

About

Name Josie E. Lujan
Date of Birth March 19th, 1942
Date of Death September 18th, 2017
Cemetery

Memorial

Cemetery
Funeral Home Rivera Family Funeral Home - Española
Address 305 Calle Salazar
Española NM 87532
United States

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Jeffrey S. Archuleta published a tribute .

Just seen this and My Sincere condolences to the Lujan Family...Que decanse en paz...

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Jim Martinez published a tribute .

On behalf of Rivera Family Funeral Homes & Crematory we want to express to you our deepest condolences.

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Carolyn Guillen published a tribute .

Mary Esther & sisters & family, I'm sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. May she Rest In Peace

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Lora Padilla published a tribute .

Mary Beth, Margaret, Rose, Jo and Esther. Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your mom. Keep the memories close, you are in my prayers during this difficult time. Lora

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Larry Ulibarri published a tribute .

To all the Mary's and daughters of Mrs Lujan Your MOM I saw Mary Rose today with her grandson she told me..I am sorry for your loss,may God keep you strong as your mother would be telling you have faith she would probably say. She was an Angel on earth for you now she is an angel in heaven as you feel she is. May God bless you and all your familia again we are so sorry for your loss. Larry and Christie Ulibarri

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Debra Archuleta Salazar published a tribute .

Mary Rose and Michael - I am so sorry for your loss of your mom! Prayers for you and your sisters!

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Valerie Salazar published a tribute .

Mary Beth, Mary Margarert, Mary Jo, Mary Esther, and Mary Rose I am so sorry for your loss. I am saddened for you and your entire family with the loss of your mom. I will pray and think of you daily that God will bring you through this hard time. Mary Beth please know that I am here for you. Call me whenever you would like.

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Dolores Salazar published a tribute .

Mary Beth and sisters. I am so sorry for ur loss. I just heard and my heart breaks for i

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Perry Sanchez published a tribute .

Mary Jo, Mary Beth, Mary Margarert, and your sisters and entire family, my sincerest condolences on the news of the passing of your mother. May God bring you peace and may she rest in peace in His loving arms.

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Videlio And Helen Archuleta published a tribute .

Mary Margaret, and daughters of Josie:
No words of sympathy could express the loss of this fine lady that raised a family with such compassion and Love. But the memories of your mom will be in your
hearts forever. The loss is hard and the grieving is tremendous. I know that she was your truest friend and the rock of the family. May you find comfort with each other and keep the bond tight.
Videlio and Helen Archuleta

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Sally Shockey published a tribute .

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Josie Lujan. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. I send my heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
Sally Shockey

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Marvin & Leslie Maestas published a tribute .

Mary Easter, Mary Rose, Mary Jo, Mary Beth and Mary Margret,

Our sincere condolences. Our prayers are with you and your family.

May God Bless you always,
Marvin and Leslie Maestas

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Virginia published a tribute .

My deepest sympathy. Special thoughts and prayers to all of Josie's family. May she rest in peace. She was a beautiful lady in more ways than one.

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Jeff Sargent published a tribute .

I ma very sorry for the loss of this beautiful woman. She always had a loving smile on her face. We will be praying for the family during this time.

Jeff and Brenda Sargent

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Manny And Elaine Chavez published a tribute .

We are saddened and heartbroken for the loss of your dearly beloved mother. She was a pillar in our community of Chimayo which she loved so much. May God bless your beautiful family. Manny and Elaine Chavez

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Rosina Martinez published a tribute .

Mary Rose, Mary Esther, rest of daughters, Martha, and family of Josie:
My condolences on the death of your beloved mother. She was a very nice and loving person who always stopped to conversate any time I would see her at the store. She was such a holy and gracious person. May our Dear Lord welcome her into his arms and her soul rest in peace. May God send you all consolation in this difficult time.
Rosina Martinez
Santa Cruz

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Barbara Arguedas published a tribute .

Dear Mary Margaret and Family, our deepest condolences in the death of your mother Josie. What an amazing woman she was! Her beauty will carry on within you, Mary Margaret, and with your sisters. In sympathy, from Barbara and Arthur Arguedas

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Veronica "roni" Moya published a tribute .

Mary Rose and family,
I am so sorry about reading about the passing of your mother.

Veronica "Roni" Moya

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Audra Garcia published a tribute .

So sorry for your loss. She was a great woman with a great family.

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Aurora Pacheco Dominguez published a tribute .

Mary Esther, Mary Rose, Mary Jo, Mary Beth, Mary Margaret (Josie & Percy's daughters): I am so sorry for the loss of your greatest treasure, your mom. My heart is sad and heavy, my prayers are with you all. Love you girls; May God Bless you and your families.

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Lucille Martinez-Holguin published a tribute .

My deepest condolences to all the family. Josie was a wonderful person who will be dearly missed. RIP fellow Chimayosa!

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Stephanie Sandoval published a tribute .

MaryMargaret, my deepest sympathy to you and your sisters/family. So sorry for your loss, Blessings my friend... miss ya

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Gregg Ferran published a tribute .

What a beautiful human being, inside and out. I had the pleasure of knowing Josie while serving as the president of the Presbyterian Española Hospital Auxiliary and the hospital board. She will be missed by all. Condolences to her daughters and her extended family.

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Angela Garcia published a tribute .

Mary Rose, and family am so sorry to learn of your mom's death. Know what a great loss this is and want you to know you have my deepest sympathy. RIP Josie!

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Abel Montez published a tribute .

To the family of Josie Lujan. This news about Josie is quite difficult to comprehend because every time you saw or spoke with her she was full of life and love. I loved her laugh, her stories and her wonderful sense of history. After each visit with her, she made you feel so wonderful, so whole. She made you feel excited. She always taught you something important that you did not know (but should know) about. She made you feel special. I know that you - Mary Jo, Mary Beth, Mary Margaret, Mary Esther and Mary Rose - possess your mom's beautiful grace and spirit, which you will continue to share with those you love and befriend. We feel blessed to have been able to call Josie "nuestra amiga para siempre." Love, Abel (Jeremy and Marco)

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Tina Valerio Talachy And Family published a tribute .

Dear Family of Josie, i am truly saddened to hear that Josie has left us, please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Josie was a great person to know and talk with we will greatly miss her enthusiasm and friendly face. May god bless you all and give comfort during this difficult time.

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Ruth O,sandoval published a tribute .

To the family. My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your loving Mother.

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Press published a tribute .

So sorry for our loss of Josie ,she is gone but will not ever be forgotten. RIP
Your friends Press & Maria

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Cora Montoya published a tribute .

Mary Beth and all your family, may the Lord bring you comfort in this most difficult time.

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Mary Ann Garcia published a tribute .

My deepest condolences to Mary Beth and her family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God Bless you and your family.

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Roybal published a tribute .

Families of Josie;
"Great people such as your mother, grandmother, great-grandma, friend .Susie was an inspiration to everyone around them. Your mother will continue to be an inspiration to each and everyone of you, even though she has passed. Susie will live on in your memory and thoughts."

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Jackie Salazar published a tribute .

My deepest sympathy. I'm so saddened by the news. You ladies are in my thoughts and prayers. Love ya.

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Robert And F. Angelina Armijo-Valdez published a tribute .

It's hard to believe that this beautiful and loving person is gone. She has entered her eternal home with much love in her heart and was, definitely, greeted with wide open arms. Rest In Peace, my dear friend. God bless the family.

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Sylvia Rodríguez published a tribute .

Condolences to Josie's family. She was an inspiration to me because of her knowledge, passion, and dedication to northern New Mexican traditional culture, including acequias.

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Maria Lorraine Vigil published a tribute .

My prayers go out to Josie's family. She will be missed. I enjoyed our conversations we had regarding the acequias. I told her that we needed to clone her with all the knowledge she had. She is now resting with our Divine Creator.

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Isaac And Michael published a tribute .

Your mother was the type of person who inspired integrity in those around her; she encouraged others to be the best people they could be. That's reflected in all your lives. We are sorry for the loss of such a valuable person. Our thoughts are with all the family at this time."

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Kelly Michel published a tribute .

I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was an amazing woman whose legacy will live on in the beautiful, strong women she raised and gave to this world. Because of her, the world is a more beautiful, wonderful, gentle and loving place. God bless you and hold you all as you grieve this tremendous loss.

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Marilyn Reeves published a tribute .

So very sorry to hear of Josie's death. She made such a difference in her community and in people's lives. My sympathy is with all of you. God rest her soul.

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Ralph & Carlotta Martinez published a tribute .

We are so truly sorry for your loss. Josie was a beautiful and loving woman. Always a gracious and cheerful lady, someone to look up to, she accomplished so much in her life, she will truly be missed. She had such a beautiful smile anytime we saw her. Our prayers are with you all.

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Francie published a tribute .

Sincerest condolences. Your mom was crazy amazing.

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Leroy Sanchez published a tribute .

Family of Josie Lujan, My most sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your beloved Mother, grandmother and Sister, Josie. May our dear lord Jesus Christ welcome Josie into his kingdom with open arms as she is reunited with her all her loved ones that have gone before her. May you all cherish the fond memories of your beloved Mom, grandmother, sister. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers as you go thru this most difficult time. God bless you all.

Your friend,
Leroy Sanchez
El Guique

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