Catherine Archuleta

Catherine Archuleta passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, January 29, 2022, in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Abendago Abner Lopez and Dolores Chavez Lopez; beloved husband, Aaron Alonso Archuleta; loving son, Adrian Adar Archuleta; fun loving brothers, Reuben Lopez and Aaron Lopez; an angel of a niece, Donna Marie; a beautiful nephew, Nathan Aaron, and beloved cousins Phillip Lopez and Judy Reynolds.

She is survived by her daughter, Alicia W. Montoya and her husband, Stephen Montoya; beloved grandchildren, Aaron Ray Cosby and his wife Robyn Cosby, Marcus Williams, Cienna Montoya, and Julia Montoya; and precious great-grandchildren, AJ and Adrian Cosby; brothers-in-law, David Archuleta, Richard Archuleta and his wife Roxanne Archuleta; niece, Laila Archuleta; nephew, Matthew Archuleta and his wife Luz Del Carmen Carreon; and cousins, Vivian Lopez-Lechtenberger and her husband James, Pamela Lopez-Morlett, Sara Johnson, and many other loving cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Catherine was born in Embudo, NM at the Embudo Presbyterian Hospital on October 13, 1942, and spent her childhood in Ranchos De Taos, with her parents, her aunt and uncle Eva and Reuben Martinez, and many extended family members. They attended the Presbyterian Church in Ranchos where her grandfather Melendrino Lopez ministered.

A few years after World War II, where her father served in the Navy, the family moved to San Diego, California. As a teenager Catherine left to attend Menaul School in Albuquerque where she found lifelong friends and the love of her life, Aaron.

Catherine earned her License Practical Nursing License in 1971. She was an exceptional nurse who cared deeply for her patients, and she never stopped acquiring medical knowledge. She flourished in her profession. Even though Catherine never acquired additional formal education, her skills, knowledge, and intelligence propelled her into the critical care field. She worked as a Critical Care Nurse in the CCU at Presbyterian Hospital the last ten years of her professional life. She provided care to acute and critically ill patients facing life-threatening problems, and with her extensive knowledge and experience, she was often recognized for her outstanding work and for the wonderful support she gave to patients. The nurses and doctors in her field became some of her best friends.

Catherine's presence filled a room. Her quiet but charismatic personality was charming, and people were drawn to her. Catherine had many talents. She sang beautifully, crocheted gorgeous blankets, grew large gardens and fruit trees, prepared delicious meals, told amazing family stories, and put an artistic flare into everything she baked, grew, and made. Catherine adored animals. She bred Persian cats and treated them as her children. Her steadfast companions after the death of her husband were her little dogs Heidi and Goldie. Catherine loved and protected her family fiercely. As the eldest grandchild of a large family, she watched over and protected all her cousins. As a wife, when her husband became too ill to work, because of Multiple Sclerosis, she earned her LPN and became the breadwinner of the family. She would work long nights caring for patients and then spend her days caring for her beloved husband. She was an unconventional and supportive mother who treated her son and her daughter as her equal. She taught them to seek out knowledge, explore the world, be independent, love everyone, study religion, find solace in spiritual guidance, but most importantly let fun and laughter lead the way.

Catherine never backed down from a challenge and spoke her mind, but always with kindness in her heart. She adored all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was always wondering about their lives and hoping they would continue to enjoy and to learn about the world.

The family gives many thanks to her wonderful caregivers, nurses, and doctors who over the years helped her through difficult times, gave her quality of life, and shared many wonderful conversations with her. These last two years under the Legacy Hospice program with Michelle Garcia and Korina Manning filled Catherine's life with joy, comfort, laughter, and friendship.

Catherine's celebration of life will begin with a viewing on Friday, February 4, 2022, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at FRENCH - Westside.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022, 10:30 a.m., at Second Presbyterian Church located on 812 Lomas Blvd. NE in Albuquerque.
Fellowship will follow. Then, the Christian Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park 924 located on Menaul Blvd NE at 2:00 p.m., where she will be laid to rest with her husband and son.

Donations may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, the Animal Humane Society, or St. Jude's Research Hospital.