Barbara Lara Jaramillo, our precious mom and beloved grandmother, took her last breath on October 31, 2018, Dia De Los Muertos.
The arc of life for our lovely mother spans eighty-six years. Barbara was born on December 4, 1931, in Fierro, NM. Her parents Sam H. Lara and Cleotilde P. Lara lived on a ranchito, where in childhood, she grew amongst the backdrop of horses, chile and herb gardens, working and playing with her siblings during the time of the great depression. When it came time to enter elementary school she attended the Santa Rita School. In 8th grade, she was on the girls' basketball team. Barbara grew into a beautiful young woman. As a teenager, she lived some time in California but came back to Fierro and Santa Rita, New Mexico. Barbara was the third oldest of the Lara siblings clan - Joe, Epifania, Claro, Luciano, Sammy, and Polly. Her Tovar siblings were Patricio, Elena, Tomas, and Manuel.
Barbara married Antonio "Tony" G. Jaramillo in her early twenties. Soon after they married, Tony was stationed at the Fort Hood Army Base during the Korean War. Their first child Louella was born on the army base. At the end of Tony's deployment, they moved back to Silver City, NM living on the Capilla. Years later their second child Arlene and their third child Tony Jr. were born. Barbara was an exceptional mother. Many adventures were taken with her husband and kids through the years to oceans, through mountains, to lakes. Memories made and stories stretched through the years.
She interacted with the world through kindness, thoughtfulness, honesty, and integrity. Barbara was a lovely human being. She leaves a legacy of three adult children, thirteen grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. She embraced her grandchildren with love and forged a special relationship with each of them. She was sensitive to their needs and their emotional wellness. Endless hours were spent joyfully reading to her grandchildren during their childhood years. Grandma Barbara's house was the gathering place to fill your soul with love, partake in the best homemade food and share special moments of life. Her grandchildren enriched her life beyond measure. She beamed with happiness in the presence of her grandchildren.
Barbara was introspective and nurtured the development of her religious/spiritual life. She was a devout Roman Catholic, deepening her faith through the reading of spiritual books, participating in the Mass, bible study, prayer, holy hour rituals and travel/exploration of sacred sites in Rome, Jerusalem, Yugoslavia, and Mexico. She visited Spanish Missions throughout California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Through the journey of her life's tribulations, sorrows, and joys, beauty was always sprinkled along the way. Dementia reared its ugly head in Barbara's life approximately five years ago. She endured deep suffering in the last months, days, and hours of her life. Barbara died at home under hospice care. In the last days of life, Barbara was loving surrounded by her adult children and adult grandchildren. She entered heaven on the wing of her guardian angel.
We offer a lifetime of gratitude, love, and appreciation with a thousand thanks to Barbara's son Tony Jaramillo Jr. and Heidi A. Jaramillo, her daughter-in-law. In life, one never knows who will be there at the time of one's greatest need. Tony and Heidi left their professions behind and gave up their lives in Santa Fe, NM in order to care for our beloved Barbara during the last four and a half years of her life. They walked every dementia step with Barbara and they were there 24/7 as her health declined and at the hour of her death. Heidi became Barbara's direct caretaker and health advocate, utilizing her nursing and teaching degree when interfacing with doctors, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pharmaceuticals, and attorneys. Heidi lovingly and graciously cared for Barbara around the clock when no one else was there. Barbara thrived in the last years of her life because of Heidi's excellent care and attention to every detail.
Barbara's nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart as she experienced them growing from childhood into adulthood, engaging with them at different times throughout her life.
Special Thank You to Dr. Stanley, Primary Care Physician; his advice and the medical support offered during the last years and especially during the last weeks of Barbara's life was invaluable.
Thank you, Mama, for being a gracious, lovely human being. Forever you are ours and you live on in our hearts and minds.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 6 from 5-6 p.m. at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with the holy rosary being recited by Father Abraham Soliz at 6 p.m. The funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 7 at 9:30 a.m. at Santa Clara Catholic Church with Father Robert Becerra officiating. Concluding service and interment will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest by her husband. Pallbearers will be Anthony Jaramillo, Matthew Holguin, Luke Holguin, Alex Madtson, Andrew Holguin, Sam Jaramillo, John Holguin, and Pete Holguin. Honorary pallbearer will be Mark Holguin. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.