Pamela Marion Thomas

Pamela Marion Vigil Thomas passed away on September 30th, 2024. She was born on June 20th, 1955, in Española, New Mexico, to Lucille Archuleta and Ernesto Vigil. She grew up in Española and Los Angeles. Despite her short stature, she pursued many activities, both physical and civic. A popular student while attending at New Mexico Tech, she met and married Dave Thomas. She gave birth to two sons, Benjamin and Matthew. After living in Peralta, NM for a while, Pam became president of the local school’s Parent Teacher Committee. That led to a four-year term on the Los Lunas Board of Education, during which time she became board vice-president, and supported many needed reforms. 

Pam was an expert baker, creating detailed and imaginative cakes for special occasions. Godzilla? No problem. She also was an ace seamstress and embroiderer, crafting many stunning embroidered picture books for her children and grandchildren, and dozens of unique folk-art Christmas stockings for family and friends. A centaur costume for Halloween? No problem. An amazing cook, people came for miles to taste one of her green chile and chicken enchiladas, or her cream-cheese and cherries pies. 

She was a beloved mother to her children, and became a matriarch of the community, befriending many neighbors both young and old. In addition to being a mother figure to her sons’ friends, she absolutely adored her three wonderful grandchildren, and enjoyed visiting them whenever she could. Pam, or “Bee Bee” as she was known to her family, was one of the world’s most selfless people. She cared very much for others, despite the physical pain she experienced. She cared for family members near and far, and made outsiders always feel like family. Pam cared deeply for hundreds of friends, and they cared right back. She was the life of a party, so much fun, so funny, so loving -- the kind of person you just can’t help but enjoy being around. She sincerely loved others, and made time for anyone in need. Generosity came as easy to her as humor, and they often came together. If you had occasion to be on the receiving side of her sharp wit, you knew it. She was not afraid to use profanity if it was warranted. She was a big supporter of the music scene, perhaps because her husband and both sons were in several local bands. Pam’s second family was a “wonderful, shared journey” with The Vigilante Band, and their families, friends and groupies, a Socorro tradition for over four decades. Pam had a bright spirit that was infectious to be around. It was so huge her tiny physical body could not contain it anymore. 

Cancer claimed many in Pam’s family, including her mother Lucille, her brother Ronnie, her cousin Andy, and others. Surgeries in 2011 and 2017 added many years to her life. When cancer returned in 2023, Pam underwent a full year of intense chemotherapy, with awe-inspiring grit and stamina and determination. Pam was finally in remission, but she became very ill in the last week of September 2024 with a case of acute leukemia. This aggressive disease brought Pam’s life to an end in just a few days. She passed peacefully, her family at her side.

Pam was preceded in death by her mother Lucille and step-father Pete Garcia, her father Ernesto Vigil, and her brothers Ronnie Polaco, Anthony Polaco, and Carlos Vigil. Pam is survived by her husband, David Thomas; her sons, Benjamin and Matthew Thomas; Ben’s wife Valerie, and their children, Aiden, Rory and Madison; her sisters Pat Hardy and Paula Sims, Pat’s children Deanna Seprish and Christal Jones, Paula’s children Amy and Shane, grandchild Audre and her children Sam, Matt and Aubreanna, her sister-in-law Debbie Thomas, and numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed.