Cecelia Inez Aragon

Cecelia Inez (Atencio) Aragon entered eternal rest on November 6, 2023 at the age of 91 of congestive heart failure.

She was born on April 20, 1932 in Cuba, NM to parents Epifanio and Elsira M Montaño Atencio.

Cecelia married Robert Aragon July 30, 1949 in Bernalillo, NM and were married 63 years prior to his death in June 2013.

Cecelia and Robert moved from Cuba, NM after the birth of first son in 1950 to Colorado. While her husband worked for Walter Hill Farm and Dairy for 23 years she was busy raising her family of 5 on the Florida Mesa. She worked at Fort Lewis College in Durango from 1979 to 1995.

Besides spending time with her family and friends she had a passion for music, singing and dancing in the kitchen with her boys of course she insisted on leading. She touched many lives with her generosity. The aromas from her kitchen always put a smile on your face and growls in your stomach. The sight of smoke above the stove pretty much guaranteed fresh tortillas or sopapillas with our meal. Her favorite color was red. She hated onions and gutting fish. Cecelia enjoyed tying quilts for some of her grandkids. Of course Mom wasn’t completely dressed without opening up one or more of her jewelry boxes. Mom sported jewelry on both arms, fingers and sometimes more than one necklace while having fun with dressing up in her roper boots and fringed jackets. Cecelia had a passion for helping others by opening up her home for a temporary resident and I need to mention the bargains at the yard sales. She liked weddings, babies and a clean home and built lifetime relationships with those that employed her to take care of their children and clean their homes. Did I mention that she hated onions?  (haha)

She was preceded in death by: Husband Robert Aragon 2013; Son Tomas Aragon 1990; Grandson Tyrell (Ty) DeGuelle 2013; Parents Epifanio 1940 and Elsira M Montaño Atencio 1970 and Daughter-in-law Michelle “Chris” Aragon 2003; Siblings: Frank Atencio b: 1922 (Lourdes Chavez Vigil 1979) (Josephine) 1999; Eugenio b: 1924 (Tillie) 1974; D. Martha b: 1927 (Moises) Gutierrez 2001; and infant Manuel 1931; nephews and nieces: Vivian, Paul, Benny, Steve, Joseph and Nathan Gutierrez; Eugene Atencio and Carmelita Roe.

She is lovingly survived by her children: Roberto (Joy) Aragon of Aztec, NM; Roy Aragon of Craig, CO; Armanda (Mandi) Holgate (Alex Archuleta) of Ignacio, CO; Mary (Roger) DeGuelle of Craig, CO; grandchildren: Nicole ‘Nikki’ Aragon of Las Vegas, NV; Cody (Meghan) DeGuelle of Paonia, CO; Travis (Haley) Holgate of Durango, CO; Olivia (Nathan) Davis of Littleton CO; Audrey (Aaron) Clinton of Silverthorne, CO; Colby (Kayla) Aragon of Albuquerque, NM and Megan Aragon (Casey Smith) Durango, CO; great grandchildren: Brittney Bowdle and Gerri Schilling (Bowdle) of Ohio; Lydia and Finley DeGuelle; Madison DeGuelle (Ty); Isabella and Connor Davis; Sierra Clinton and Makenna Aragon. As well as her sister and her best friend, Erlinda Montoya of Albuquerque, NM. She also is survived by nieces and nephews: Hazel Herrera, Marcella Lopez, Joann Trujillo, Belinda Sandoval, Sandra Mirabal, Christine Montoya, Danny Montoya. Epi Atencio, Susie Moya, Gloria Tafoya, Laverne Saavedra and Virginia Belangie.

Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango on Saturday, November 18, 2023. The Rosary will be at 9:00 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., will burial to follow at Greenmount Cemetery.