Phyllis Luchetti

In Loving Memory of Phyllis Luchetti

November 18, 1938 – October 30, 2026

Phyllis Luchetti, 87, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, just shy of her 88th birthday. She lived a life defined by grace, resilience, unbridled joy, and an abundance of love for her family and community.

Phyllis was born in Raton, New Mexico, on November 18, 1938. She spent her formative years in the farming community of Rocky Ford, Colorado, where she was raised by her maternal grandparents, Jose Valentin and Rosa María Abeyta, whom she adoringly called Mom and Dad. Doted on by a close-knit circle of her tías, tíos, and primos, she cherished her childhood and spoke with enduring warmth of her father, in whose eyes she could do no wrong.

In 1956, Phyllis relocated to Santa Fe, the city she cherished and loved for the remainder of her life. After graduating from Santa Fe High School in 1957, she built an accomplished career in public service and legal administration through decades of dedicated work. She supported the justice system through roles in the Santa Fe District Attorney’s Office, the Clerk of the District Court, and the State of New Mexico Attorney General’s Office. Ultimately, she retired as a Consumer Advocate within the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, but her commitment to civic service never dimmed.

Phyllis was charismatic and stylish, with an elegant sense of fashion and décor. Her garden was her sanctuary, cultivated so that brilliant flowers continuously blossomed from spring’s first thaw until late autumn. Music moved her—especially mariachi music—and she never missed a beat. Whenever the rhythm caught her ear, she seized every opportunity to dance, sing, or tap her foot from her favorite recliner.

Her courage and curiosity inspired numerous travels across the globe—exploring Spain, Italy, Turkey, Cambodia, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Nova Scotia, Mexico, and the greater United States. Closer to home, she treasured simple pleasures: a well-made margarita, watching the seasons change, or caring for her beloved cat, Frida. She loved all animals.

Whatever life asked of her—whether poverty, illness, or heartbreak—Phyllis always responded with grace and optimism. She was deeply committed to supporting friends and family, showing up faithfully in times of celebration and hardship alike.

Phyllis’s friendships were marked by loyalty and longevity. “She was the best friend anyone could have. She was always there to help, listened and offered her honest opinion when asked, and knew how to have a good time and make wonderful memories,” shared Pat Martin, her best friend of 70 years. In recent months, Phyllis mourned the passing of Vangie Felter, her dear friend for nearly five decades.

As a genuine and spirited New Mexican, she honored its unique culture, diverse heritage, and enduring traditions. She understood that cultural roots only survive when they are actively nurtured, and she took deliberate care to pass those traditions forward. She wanted to carry forward the art of speaking in dichos—traditional proverbs that convey profound truths with humor, grit, and grace. Three of her favorite pieces of wisdom find their natural voice in that rich tradition:

“Enjoy your youth!” — «Juventud, divino tesoro, ¡te vas para no volver!» (Youth, divine treasure, you leave never to return!) A reminder she offered affectionately to anyone younger than herself, regardless of age.

“It’s not how much money you make, it’s how much you save.” — «El que guarda, siempre halla.» (He who saves will always find.) A splendid example of her grounded pragmatism, spoken always with deep conviction.

“Take care of yourself, enjoy your life, have a good time.” — «El que no goza la vida, la vida se lo goza a él.» (Whoever does not enjoy life, life will take advantage of them.) Her spirited belief that life was meant to be embraced, not endured.

Phyllis’s devotion to her family was the center of her world. Her greatest joy and deepest pride lay in her roles as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jose Valentin and Rosa María Abeyta; her mother and stepfather, Laura and Philbert Santistevan; her brother, Robert Garcia; her sister, Sara Lee Chavez; and her beloved daughter, Brenda Meyer. She is survived by her sister, Mary Esther Bertram; her children, Paul Aguilar, John Abraham, and Ursula Luchetti-Jordan; her grandchildren, Frankie Paul Balizan, Monica Nielson, and Serina Aguilar; her great-grandchildren, Maddison Balizan, Dorian Balizan, Adam Balizan, and Tatum Nielson; her lifelong friend, Pat Martin; and a large, loving extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating Phyllis’s life will be held on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Rivera Funeral Home (417 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505). A reception will follow immediately at The Elks Lodge of Santa Fe (1615 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Phyllis’s honor to the Santa Fe Animal Shelter or La Morada de Nuestra Señora de Dolores del Alto in Abiquiú.