Ernestina Sara “Bunny” Vigil passed away on September 25, 2024, at Miners’ Colfax Medical Center, surrounded by love and serenity. Born on January 23, 1936, in Raton, NM to Seferina V. Martinez and Salomon R. Martinez, she attended Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School and graduated from Raton High School in 1956. Ernestine married Pat J. Vigil Sr. on February 27, 1965, at St Joseph’s Church in Raton, sharing 48 years of marriage until his passing in 2013.
Ernestine retired from the State of New Mexico at Miners Colfax Medical Center in 1998, where she worked as a Dietary Aid and formed lifelong friendships. Raised by her grandmother Rosabel Mondragon and step-grandfather Jose Mondragon, she cherished her childhood memories and loved her pets, Honey, Sunshine, and Daisy Mae. A voracious reader, she enjoyed word finds in her later years and treasured time with her family.
She is survived by her children, James P. Vigil and Patrick J. Vigil Jr. with his wife Vicky D. Vigil, and Sandra S. Vigil with her husband Robert W. Vigil. Her grandchildren include Casandra L. Vigil and great-grandson Colton J. Romero, and Patrick J. Vigil III with his companion Victoria Gonzales and their children Patrick J. Vigil IV, Amorette Sara Vigil, Xaviar Williams, and Sheriah Sanchez. She is also survived by her sister Margaret B. Montoya, Rosabel Lucero, Lorenza Espinoza, Marcella Santistevan and her husband Ralph J. Santistevan, and brothers Andres Martinez, Felix A. Martinez, and Larry and Reba Martinez, along with many nephews and nieces.
Preceded in death by her husband Pat J. Vigil Sr., son Baby Joseph Vigil, and sister Mary Lou Roble,
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 pm at Alderette Pomeroy Funeral Home.
Ernestine’s life will be celebrated with a recitation of the Most Holy Rosary at 11:00 am on Friday, October 4, 2024, at St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Raton, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
