Nancy Dominguez

Nancy Ann Dominguez, age 84, joined her beloved husband, Alfredo Dominguez, Jr., in heaven on October 20, 2024. She passed comfortably and peacefully with family at her side. Nancy and Alfredo met in the early 1960's while both were teaching at Laguna-Acoma High school, their first teaching jobs and the first year after the school was built. Alfredo often said it was love at first sight for him, and he pursued Nancy zealously, and soon his enthusiasm was returned. They married within the first year of meeting. He would often say that she was the smartest person he had ever met. The two remained married for 50 years before his passing. Nancy and Alfredo settled in Chamisal, NM, which she considered home, although they did live and teach in other small towns around Northern New Mexico.

Nancy Ann was born in 1940, in the small town of Murfreesboro, Arkansas, at home, to Mary Ann and Luke Stevens. During her early childhood the family would often travel and live in various logging camps in the Pacific Northwest. Nancy recalled that her father would work for a time, make some money, then go home and go broke farming. In her teenage years the family became more stable and settled in Murfreesboro, where her father served as the County Sheriff. She graduated high school as her class valedictorian, at age 16, and went straight to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville to earn her teaching degree. Nancy was always intrigued with New Mexico's Spanish and Native cultures and took a teaching job in the Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico. Nancy later earned her master's degree in education at Highlands University, in Las Vegas, NM. She often credited her mother-in-law, Rosinalda Dominguez, with making this possible because Rosinalda watched and cared for Alfredo and Nancy's young children, Stephy and Alfie, while Nancy attended school. Nancy went on to teach for many years at both the high school and elementary school levels. Nancy loved teaching and was constantly trying to adjust her teaching style to figure out how her students would learn best. Nancy was a lifelong learner and continued to take classes throughout her life.

Anyone who knew Nancy knew her as a voracious reader who could never be found without a book, and later a Kindle, in her hand. She loved all books ranging from children's literature to science fiction. In fact, it would be hard to think of a book she had not read. Nancy also loved watching TV and particularly enjoyed the original Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Xena Warrior Princess. In her later years she loved watching Project Runway, RuPaul's Drag race, and The Great British Baking Show. She also loved all Arnold Schwarzenegger films. Nancy additionally enjoyed sewing, and she would spend countless hours cutting out patterns and making clothes for her daughters and herself. She also loved to embroider, crochet and paint. And she applied her skills in doll collecting, by making clothes for them. But ultimately Nancy dedicated herself to being a mother, and she took years off from work to raise her children and always to be involved in their school activities. She loved to spend time with her numerous nephews and nieces and grandchildren. She spent the last 15 years of her life mainly living with her daughter, Maria Dominguez and son-in-law, Bruce Fox in Albuquerque, where she loved being a part of their day-to-day life.

Nancy is survived by her three children, Stephanie Rachel Leon, Alfredo Dominguez III, and Maria Dominguez: her brother, Stevie Stevens and their families as well as numerous in-laws, and nieces and nephews. She now joins in heaven the rest of her family, husband, Alfredo Jr., Alfredo Sr, Rosinaldia, Mary Ann and Luke, and her beloved grandson, Spencer. Her family thanks Casa Subina, Hospice De La Luz, and her friend and assistant, Laura Medina, for making her final years comfortable.