Alicia Vargas

Our loving mother Alicia Anna Maria was called to her eternal home in heaven on March 6, 2025 at the beautiful age of 93. Mom was born on June 30, 1931, and was the youngest of nine children born to Juan Manuel and Higinia Martinez of Taos. She is now rejoicing in heaven with her parents, her siblings Roberto, Elias, Alicia (elder), Andrea, Aurora, Guillermo, Luis, her husband Elias Vargas, and precious daughter Cecilia (Cissy). Alicia is survived by her sister Dilia Martinez, her children Olivia (Libby), Edward Lee (Jana), Anna (Lawrence) and Carmela (Mark), 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and numerous special friends.

Alicia grew up on the ranch next door to her family’s Martinez Hacienda. In 1948, she married our dad, Elias Vargas and moved to San Francisco, California (and later to Riverside, California) where they raised Cissy, Libby and Lee. They returned to Taos in the early 60s and Anna and Carmela were added to the family. Mom attended Riverside City College where she earned her cosmetology license and later ran Little Alice’s Hair Craft Shop, located off of Taos Plaza, for over 20 years. Mom later worked several years as a health care worker at the Taos County Residential Treatment Center (RTC) providing child care, support, shopping and cooking meals for adolescents. She was noted to be a valuable employee, not only providing delicious food, but love and structure to those she worked with.

Our mom (and dad) were strong advocates for Cissy, always ensuring that she attended schools and worked diligently with others to establish the current Ensuenos y Los Angelitos Development Center in order to provide services and support to people with developmental disabilities in Taos County. This advocacy and work strongly influenced her children and grandchildren to work hard, be of service to others, and to further their education. She beamed with pride when sharing that each of her children and grandchildren earned their college degrees.

Always young at heart, Mom cultivated relationships with family and friends and had a special way of connecting with younger generations. She reached out and kept in touch with many, spreading her love and care, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she knew.

A part of mom lives on in each of us. She was an amazing cook - her red chile was a requirement at any gathering. Mom worked hard and raised her family in strong Catholic faith and regularly asked us “did you go to church?” She was a proud member of Las Taoseñas women’s organization and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Altar Society. Mom left a beautiful legacy and special mark on her community. She will be dearly missed by many, but her sense of humor, love, devotion to family and deep faith in God continues on in her family.

Special thanks to the health care provided these last few months by many including Amy, Kim, and Mountain Home Health Care staff.

Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, March 18th at 6PM and mass of Catholic burial will be held on Wednesday, March 19th at 9:30AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Taos. Interment to follow at 2:30PM at Santa Fe National Cemetery where she will rest in peace alongside her husband Elias and beloved daughter Cissy.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Cissy Vargas Scholarship fund (checks payable to Dr. Edward Lee Vargas) which provides annual scholarships for Taos students pursuing degrees in Special Education or professions that will be of service to others.

The family of Alicia Anna Maria Vargas has entrusted the care of their loved one to the caring staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. 866-657-4019 www.devargastaos.com