Crusita (Soto) Aragon

Crusita Soto Aragon, passed away peacefully Monday, February 10, 2020. Crusita (Crusie as she was known to most) was 89 at the time of her passing and was welcomed into heaven by her husband, Gilbert Aragon; her daughter, Amada Aragon; and her son, Randy Aragon.

Crusie was born May 26, 1930 in Belen, New Mexico, before moving to Albuquerque where she lived most of her life. She is survived by her children, Gilbert Aragon and wife, Rosemary, Linda Lucas and husband, Roger, Debra Aragon and partner, Tom Rudys, Marian Aragon, and Jon-Jon Aragon; grandchildren, Rhoman Aragon, Jordan Kingston and wife, Yvonne, Alexandra Baca and husband, Joseph, Taylor Kingston and husband, Daniel Gonzalez, Jonathan Aragon, Justin Aragon and Amada Aragon; four great-granddaughters, Brooklyn, Gemma, Logan and Amaya; many nieces, nephews, friends and other loved ones.

She was a devout Catholic, a reliable friend, and a caring comforter to those who needed her. Her strength through difficult times was undoubtedly her most admirable attribute. Through all of the trials she faced, she maintained her faith in the Lord and showed her family time and time again not to give up when times are hard.

Crusie was a firecracker. She told jokes, played games, and was always the loudest in the room (even before her hearing aides went out). We’re still unsure if she loved being with family or if she just loved having a ride to the casino. Unless, of course, you were willing to go “halfers” with her, then she undoubtedly loved you (but really only if you won). She enjoyed watching “her stories,” or at least we think she did but we really don’t know because we weren’t allowed to call between the hours of 11am and 2 pm for a good few years. Thank God, she gave up when Erica Kane married her 5th (or was it 6th) husband and we all had our Crusie back for normal lunch hours.

Crusie loved to watch Tennis. She said she loved to watch Serena Williams play but we all knew she really just enjoyed watching Rafael Nadal adjust his shorts before a serve. Sometimes she would cheer against Nadal, but only so the game would last longer and she could watch him serve a few more times.

Her love for her family was undeniable. She used to enjoy cooking for them, especially on their birthdays. As she aged and cooking became more difficult for her, her patience was tested many times as numerous family members attempted to learn how to make red chile like her. It’s not for lack of effort, and we believe she really did want others to learn to perfect her recipe, but perhaps it was her failing memory that always left out one ingredient. Maybe if we all get together and share our versions of her recipe we can piece together this delicious mystery.

Another mystery to us is how she could know she had a BINGO on a bingo card she hadn’t even marked or how touching her could take away her luck. What we do know for certain is that Crusie made us all laugh louder with her infectious laugh, she made us love harder because she loved her friends and family with everything she had, and during our Monday family dinners she made us all feel blessed. It's a blessing we will always feel because we know she is watching down on us.

Her family would like to express gratitude to everyone at Layton House (Angell's Care Assisted Living) and the staff at High Desert Hospice, who cared for her during her final months.

A Rosary will be recited on Sunday, February 16, 2020, 1:00 p.m., at FRENCH – Wyoming. Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 9:00 a.m., at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, 5415 Fortuna Rd NW, with Interment immediately following at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith. A reception will follow the Interment back at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.