Aurora Mendoza

Aurora Z. Mendoza, 84, passed away peacefully in her bed on January 20, 2019 in Rio Rancho, NM. She was born November 5, 1934 in Hurley, NM. She grew up in Santa Rosa, NM. She graduated from Western High School and earned an Associate’s Degree from Western New Mexico University.

Family who predeceased her include, her parents, Thomas and Rosa Zamora and siblings, Jesus Zamora, Robert Zamora, Elvira Walters and Elifas Zamora.

Surviving family are her devoted husband of 60 years, Alex Mendoza Sr. Children, Lillian Armijo of Socorro, NM, Alex Mendoza Jr. of Laguna Beach, CA, Michael Mendoza of Rio Rancho, NM, Alfred Mendoza of Scottsdale, AZ and Susan Mendoza of Redondo Beach, CA. Grandchildren: Madalyn (Armijo) Yafa, John Armijo, Joseph Armijo, Lauren Mendoza, Vivian Mendoza, Michael Mendoza Jr., Kristen Mendoza, Ryan Mendoza, Lindsey Plitt, Sydney Mendoza, and Amanda Mendoza.
Her siblings: Genevieve Martinez, Elena Hernandez , Rosemary Arrellano and Thomas Zamora of Silver City, NM and Eloise Maldonado of Phoenix, AZ, as well as many nephews and nieces and their children.

Aurora was a person with whom one would come into contact and feel better just by talking to her. Her smile was infectious. In fact, her childhood nickname was “smiley.” She was definitely a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She lived a happy and eventful life, complete with achievement and success, among them being the following:

Her wonderful and long marriage to Alex.

Her five decades as a devout member of the congregation at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Las Cruces, NM.

Her long career of service in the Social Security Administration. Her children witnessed true feminism by her example. She went to work at a time that women were expected to stay home. She didn’t do it because it was a movement. She did it because she wanted to work outside of the home and thus advance her family’s well-being. She cherished her career and earned many promotions and awards in her office.

Her and her husband‘s unwavering dedication to their children and determination that each would graduate from college. Each of her five children earned a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University. Nearly every one of them went on to earn post-graduate degrees as well.

What gave her perhaps more joy and pride than even her children were her grandchildren. She absolutely and unreservedly loved each of them equally and fully. As many grandparents will do, she would go on at length about how beautiful and handsome they were and about their most recent success stories in all things, academics, music, sports, charitable acts and adventures. If you asked her whether she was embellishing she might’ve laughed and said she just wanted to be thorough! She was much loved by all and will be missed profoundly.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 AM on March 25, 2019 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe with burial following at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe. Arrangements are being handled by Daniels Funeral Home in Rio Rancho, NM.