In Loving Memory of Josephine Montoya Zamora

Josephine Montoya Zamora, 99, passed away peacefully at the Colfax General Long Term Care home in Springer on Saturday, December 16, with her family at her side. Josie was a life-long resident of Cimarron, except for a short term, when she lived in Dawson as a young wife and mother. She was born to the union of Ambrosio Montoya and Flora Espinosa from Cimarron. The Espinosas, from Taos, were among the first families to settle along the Cmarroncito Creek on the Maxwell Land Grant in the late 1850s, while the Montoyas left the Jemez Canyon area to settle in Cimarron by the 1870s.
Josephine attended the public schools in Cimarron, and soon after, on October 3, 1936, she was united in marriage to David Zamora from the Springer area. They were blessed in holy matrimony for 75 years, until he preceded her in death in 2011. Josie was also preceded in death by her parents, all her siblings, an infant son, Robert, and three daghters-in-law, Jennie Martinez Zamora, Jean Solano Zamora and Mary Ann Chavez Zamora.
Josie was a devoted mother and grandmother, and her love extend to all her progeny through her great-great grandchildren. During her long life, she cherished the countless friends she had and all the blessings and compassion human friendship offers. Josie was an excellent homemaker and cook and had different hobbies. One interest she embraced with a passion was crochet that she shared with others until her final days. All her handiwork went to her many friends and others she met, including hospital staff and workers at the nursing home—a simple token of gratitude and friendship she shared with everyone.
Josie is survived by her sons, David from Cimarron and Johnny from Denver, and her daughter Helen (Anselmo Arellano) from Las Vegas, New Mexico; her grandchildren and their spouses, Evelyn Zamora (John Cortez); Vicky Zamora (Johnny Romero); Davy Zamora (Jennifer Lucero); Anita Zamora (Alan Solano); Anthony Zamora (Dana DelHierro); Casilda Arellano (Antonio Gallegos); and, Mario Arellano (Carmela Olivas). She is also survived by sixteen great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a heart-felt thanks to all of Josie’s friends and their families for the friendship and support they bestowed on Josie throughout her life. A special thank you is also offered to all the professional and support staff at the Colfax General Long Term Care in Springer for the excellent care they provided Josie. To all, we are grateful.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home, and the Holy Rosary and funeral mass will be held concurrently at Immaculate Conception Church, Cimarron, on Saturday January 6, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Rosary will be recited by Stella Chavez Aguilar, and the mass of resurrection will be officiated by Father Benoit Trieu Van Vu at 10:30 a.m.