Lucy Tafoya

Maria Lucia Salazar was born on May 11, 1929. Known affectionately as Lucy, she was delivered by a midwife at home in Alcalde, New Mexico. She began her education at the Alcalde EUB Mission School, attending from primer through 8th grade, and went on to Espanola High School, where she completed grades 9 through 12. After high school, she pursued further education at the Albuquerque Business College, earning a two-year certification in Business Administration while boarding with a local family.

Following her certification, Lucy began her career at the University of California in Los Alamos, where she worked for three years. On February 27, 1949, she married Alfredo Efren Tafoya at the San Juan Del Los Caballeros Catholic Church in San Juan (now known as Ohkay Owingeh), New Mexico. The couple made their home in Los Alamos for the first five years of their marriage and were active members of LULACS during that time.

Their only child, Andrew Alfred Ronald, was born on February 5, 1951, in Los Alamos. After Ronald began school, and with the encouragement of her father, Lucy took a position with the State of New Mexico Department of Human Services as a case worker. The family moved back to Alcalde when Ronald was five years old. In her role, Lucy became a familiar and compassionate figure in the communities of Alcalde and Chimayo, assisting many families across Northern New Mexico. She retired from the Department of Human Services in 1987.

Upon retirement, she remained deeply engaged in her faith and community through St. Anne's Catholic Church in Alcalde and San Juan Del Los Caballeros parish. She and Alfredo were members of the church choir, Rondalla, which traveled throughout the Espanola Valley.

Lucy's dedication to service extended into multiple church roles. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and held leadership roles as Vice-President and later President of St. Vincent de Paul, where she conducted home visits to assist those in need. She also led the Altar Rosary Society, overseeing the maintenance of the church's altar and vestments as well as counting the church offerings.

She also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, continuing her commitment to supporting families through home visits. Lucy was active in the Espanola Senior Center choir and participated in Christmas pageants. Additionally, she served as Vice President of the Alcalde Senior Center Advisory Committee.

Lucy was a beloved mother to her son Ronald (Ron) and his wife Rebecca, and a loving grandmother to her grandson Andrew Benjamin Tafoya. She shared a close bond with her brother’s Candido and John and her sisters Mary Salazar Sutton and Violeta Anderson, and their husbands Melvin and Darrell. Her brothers, sister Mary and her mother Defina and father Antonio Jose Salazar preceded her in death. She was cherished by her extended family and relatives, including many nieces, nephews, and cousins, many of whom were able to spend time with her before her passing.