Ruth Thelma Madrid

Ruth passed away to eternal life on Sunday, March 17, 2019.  Ruth was born to Alfonso Vigil and Cora Sanchez Vigil in Blanca, Colorado.  She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Gil Madrid and her children, Gayla Gurule, Mitchell & Curtis Madrid. She loved her grandchildren, Gabriel & Nicholas Gurule; Great grandson Mason Gurule and his mother Jessica Baca; newly born great grandchildren, Ezra Gurule and Daxton Gurule. She will also be missed by her surviving sister, Martha Jaramillo and brother, Dan Vigil, as well as several nieces and nephews. After graduation from Sierra Grande High School, she attended Pueblo Jr. college and met her husband who was attending Pueblo Barber College.  They married and she moved to New Mexico with her husband who was now a newly licensed barber. After the birth of their first child, she returned to Colorado and attended the Pueblo Barber College and became the first woman barber in the city of Albuquerque.  Gil and Ruth owned and operated El Madrid Hairstyling for 40 plus years in a very successful business where they attracted many loyal clients, who later became dear friends. Ruth and Gil were avid lobo fans and renewed their vows during a special half-time, Valentine’s day ceremony in “The Pitt”, along with several other couples.  Ruth was also an avid bowler being secretary of 3 leagues and a delegate to nationals in Miami FL.  She competed in several national bowling tournaments, holding a pro average in the women’s division.  Ruth started the first non-smoking bowling league. Ruth participated in Senior Olympics basketball winning 4th in the nation in her age division with the Fox Trotter’s in Cleveland Ohio in the top division.  Ruth also attended several national basketball tournaments with the Canyon Nets league which she was a member of and played 3 times weekly for many years.  Ruth was also an active pickle ball player and played twice a week while also acting as a venue coordinator at Sandia Prep. Ruth had great compassion for people, helping those with mental illness get assistance, feeding the homeless, caring for the elderly, giving haircuts in nursing homes, hospitals and going to their home if they were sick. Ruth became an advocate against the liquor industry and succeeded to have laws passed by having establishments install cameras and governing liquor sales. Most important in her life was a relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was an active volunteer at Calvary Chapel where they attended from the mid 80’s till the time of her leaving this earth to join her savior.  Ruth served in the prison ministry, the women’s bible study, selling tickets for Christian concerts and as a counselor at several crusades.  During 911, Ruth donated time to the “mercy band” endeavor which supported and represented all who lost their life in the “911” tragedy, often speaking directly with several family members who lost loved ones. Ruth could be seen helping at a Kiosk for many church functions, greeting everyone with a big smile.

DEATH IS NOT EXTINGUISHING THE LAMP-IT IS PUTTING OUT THE LIGHT BECAUSE THE DAWN HAS COME.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Church, 4001 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 with interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park.