Valerie Ann Padilla (Burrow) passed away peacefully in her home on May 17, 2024 with her best friend, and love of her life, Joseph by her side.
Valerie was born on November 9, 1954 In Raton NM to her beloved parents Ray and Eleanor Burrow. Valerie grew up in the most loving home and attended school in Raton graduating from Raton High School in 1972. After High School she attended college at Texas Tech University where she was a proud and active member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education.
After several years of teaching in Lubbock Texas and giving birth to her first child Amy in February of 1979, she moved back to Raton where she decided to change her career path and opened Burco Chemical and Supply.
In 1984 Valerie met the love of her life Joseph Padilla, and on June 9, 1984 she and Joseph were married in a small and intimate ceremony in Des Moines NM. One of the happiest days of their lives. In January of 1986 they welcomed their first child together, Christy Jo, and their little family was then complete. Valerie was the most wonderful wife and mother. She was kind and caring, gentle and forgiving, strong and intelligent. She gave her family unwavering love and support and always had the best advice. Her love truly knew no limits.
Over the years, with an insurmountable amount of love, endless hard work and commitment to one another, Valerie and Joseph built the most beautiful life together. They created a loving family, and their bond was unbreakable. They were the best team. They operated Burco Chemical together for 40 years, which is still successful and thriving today. A true testament to their hard work and dedication to not only their business but their family and to each other.
Valerie was an avid golfer and member of the Raton Golf Association for many years. She just loved her time out on the course with friends. It brought her so much joy. Always dressed to the nines, she looked forward to warm sunny days.
Every summer she had the most gorgeous well-groomed yard with an abundance of beautiful plants and flowers. She loved working in the yard and watching the wildlife that frequented it. She was a lover of all animals, especially her precious dogs that she had throughout her life.
Valerie was a loyal friend to many, and she had an absolute heart of gold. It has been said that when you were a friend of Vals, she treated you like you were family, and that is the honest truth. Her door was always open, and you were always welcome. She was so giving.
She loved to travel and spend time with loved ones. She was the life of the party and loved to Dance. Being with her family was when she was happiest. She was so incredibly proud of her family and loved them beyond measure. Becoming a “Nana” was definitely one of her most treasured blessings in life and she absolutely adored her children and grandchildren. She beamed with pride each time she saw them and always made sure that they knew that she was proud and that they were so loved. She will be deeply missed.
Valerie is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 40 years Joseph Padilla, daughter Christy and husband Aaron Ortiz, daughter Amy Padilla, Step-Daughter JoLynn and husband Steve Kinffin, and Maiah Torres, and her most precious Grandchildren Alexa, Gabriel, and Ellie Rose Ortiz; Mackenzie Rae and her father Wesley Seneff. Sister Nancy and husband George Bashore, and nephew Jonathan Bashore. In-Laws Irene Vigil (Arnie), Pat Padilla (Jonallyn), Frances Cardenas (Richard), Virginia Martinez (David), Michael Padilla (Kelly), Gilbert Padilla (Shelby), Alex Padilla, Richard Padilla, and Julie Padilla. Valerie is also survived by many other numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Valerie was preceded in death by her beloved parents Ray and Eleanor Burrow, Grandparents Roe and Velma Seward, Father and Mother in-Law Louis and Eleanor Padilla, and Sisters in- law Carmen Smith and Anna Wherle.
A memorial service will be held for family and friends on Saturday August 24th at 10:00 am at the Lighthouse Church.
Arrangements for Valerie Ann Padilla are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.
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