On November 29th, 2023, my momma Manuelita was rushed from the ER in Espanola to an ICU bed in Albuquerque, where she was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and given three months to live by the doctors. She spent a full week in the ICU before graduating to a physical rehab facility for two weeks before being allowed to come home.

 

In the beginning, her liver and kidneys slowly started recuperating, and we were hopeful for a miracle. But as the weeks progressed, it became apparent that her condition wasn’t going to improve much further. It was a difficult decision, but in mid-January she made the decision to stop seeking medical treatment, and we transitioned into comfort care through home hospice.

 

In just a matter of days, she went from being fully coherent and mobile around the home to being mostly bed-ridden and unable to hold conversations beyond just a few words. The last few weeks on hospice in particular have been grueling for my family, but we’ve been blessed by the grace of countless friends and family members showing up for us and helping with her care.

 

On Good Friday, April 29th, as pilgrims from across New Mexico and beyond arrived, my family took her to be blessed at the Santuario de Chimayo, and on Monday, April 1st, 2024, my mother passed away peacefully at the young age of 54 in the family home in Chimayo, surrounded by our family.

 

My momma was dealt a hard deck in life. Surviving a childhood riddled with adversity and trauma, she became a high school push-out when teachers and faculty tasked with advocating for her best interests failed her completely and forced her out of school because her “body was a distraction” to other students her age.

 

Thus began her battle, struggling to fit in and survive in a world so hellbent on shunning her out. She spent many years wandering the streets, self-medicating as a result of the pain from being failed by every system possible. I don’t blame her. In fact, I understand, and I can only hope that she is finally at peace and free from the pain and trauma she tried so desperately to alleviate during her short time here with us.

 

I’m setting up this page to help with the expenses associated with her passing and to give my momma the proper celebration and memorial she deserves.

 

As many in our community know, this is the second tragic loss for the Juarez family in less than a month, as in February our dear Carmela Moreno, Lita's niece, was brutally murdered in an Espanola homicide, and just days after laying her to rest, we find ourselves back in this nightmare once again.