Born March 29, 1929 in Raton, New Mexico to the late Moises Ortiz and Albinita (Gurule) Olguin.
Margaret in her childhood years was a railroader’s daughter. As a young girl they lived in Thatcher, Colorado in a box car. She would chase rail cars carrying soldiers from the war who would toss chocolates to her and brother. She was raised on Garcia street with her siblings Jose (Ella ) Ortiz, (d) Lawrence Gonzales, (d) Benny Ortiz, (d) Flora (Joe) Martucci, Elsie (Ray)Vigil, Julia Ortiz, Moises (Sharon) Ortiz Jr., Elaine(Tomas)Garza , Albert (Sophia)Ortiz.
In October 1948 Margaret met Joe Herrera a WWII Veteran at a dance hall called the Big Six on 1st street. By November 22, 1948 they were married. Joe was working for the county driving a dump truck and Margaret was a homemaker. They moved into their forever home on South 5th Street in 1959. Where they raised their children Mary Ann (Lefty) Martinez, Carmen (Leroy) Valerio, (d) Vickie Ford, Sarah Roth, Charles(Liz) Herrera, and Melinda (Phil) Martinez. As a young couple they took in her brothers and sisters when her mother became very ill and helped raise them as well.
Margaret lived in her home independently after Joe’s passing for 32 years. She enjoyed cooking, ironing, crocheting and reverently praying for her family and friends. She read the Bible daily and her devotion to the precious blood was an out pouring of her faith and love in our Lord.
Known as Grandma H to her Grandchildren: Stacy(Anthony) Sandoval, Kim Valerio-Swope, Richard Martinez, James Martinez, Kristie(Kerry)Medina, Randy Ledesma, Sherri (Tito) Sanchez, Brian Herrera, Lindsay (Wes) Joplin, Brett Roth, Alex(Brittany)Herrera, Autumn Martinez,Amber and Andrew Cassella, Jennifer Kochanski. Great grandchildren: Marc, Carlos(Jaime) and Ava Sandoval, Rahnetta Valerio, Tyler Swope, Tyler, Ross, Jessica, Toni, Race, Reid, MaryAnn and Rebecca Martinez, Zeb, Sophie and Addison Medina, Jeremiah Sanchez, Elijah Herrera, Nathaniel, Carter Herrera, Ashton, Makayla, Britany, Sammie Joplin.
Great Great Grandson’s: Adler Valerio and Xavier Sandoval-Littlefield. She was preceded in death by great-great granddaughters Evalynn and Catalina Sandoval.
Margaret is also survived by her half siblings: Margaret Martinez, Patsy Guzman, (d) James Ortiz, Connie Ortiz, Judy Ortiz, Elena Ortiz-Chavez, Richard Olguin, Linda Olguin.
Pallbearers are James Martinez, Brian Herrera, Alex Herrera, Marc Sandoval, Carlos Sandoval, Ross Martinez, Tyler Swope, Wes Joplin.
Honorary pallbearers are Albert Ortiz, Albert Ortiz, Jr., Moises Ortiz, Jose Ortiz.
Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph’s Church recited by Deacon Ed Olona. Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 10:30 A.M. with Father William Woytavich as the celebrant. Rite of Christian Burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Services and Celebration of Love for Mary Margaret Herrera are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton, N.M.
