Dolores Rivera Vigil

Dolores Rivera Vigil, 87 years of age, a prominent lifelong resident of the Española Valley passed away on July 28, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 22, 1938, daughter of the late Solomon and Barbarita Rivera. She was the youngest of 2 children. She was employed by Española Public Schools for many years. She served as a Municipal Judge for the City of Española for 3 terms, retiring in 2008. To this date, she is the only woman to fulfill the role of Municipal Judge in Española’s history.

She was a very active member of Sacred Heart Parish, spending many years serving in various ministries. Some of these ministries included lecturing for Mass, delivering communion to the homebound as a Eucharistic Minister, she was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Alter and Rosary Society, and she played an important role in operating the weekly bingo for 30+ years. She was very proud of the projects and remodeling the bingo funds contributed to. Her biggest contribution to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish was her gift of singing. She had a beautiful voice.

She was also active in the community where she was a member and served on the Amigos de Valle Board, the Española Oñate Fiesta Council, and initiated the Española City Children’s Christmas Party (which still exists today). She was recently selected as one of the 50 most influential people in Española’s 100-year history.

Dolores was a very busy person. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, baking, and loved to dance. After her retirement, she began each day swimming laps at the Lucero Center swimming pool. She loved sharing her skills with her children and her grandchildren, who patiently watched as she taught, and they learned from her.

Family was of utmost importance to her. She has left behind incredibly fond memories which will live in the hearts of many forever. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Ernesto, her parents, brother Ben Rivera, children, Carlos F. Vigil and Pamela Thomas, and grandchild, Jessica Vigil.

She is survived by her children: Rosalda Speckled Rock, Leo Vigil, Dennis Rivera (Alicia), Jilli Oyenque, Ernestine Harmston (John), Deirdra Montoya (Dennis), Barbara Klein (Scott), and Ramona Martinez (Art), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and her precious four-legged companion, Lola.

Pallbearers: Kevin Vigil, Andres Rivera, Adam Montoya, Nicholas Klein, Isaac Klein, and Damian Anaya. Honorary Pallbearers: Nieces, and Nephews, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

A rosary will be held on August 11, 2025, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Española, at (Pending Time), with the Funeral Mass to follow. Burial will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on August 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM.

ln lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, P. O. Box 69, Española, NM, 87532.

A special thanks to Ambercare, Anna Dixon, and Lorraine Valdez for their support.

The family has entrusted their loved one to the Rivera Family Funeral Home, 305 Calle Salazar, Española, NM 87532 505-753-2288.