JOSIE E. LUJAN

Josie E. Lujan, 75, a lifelong daughter of Chimayo, departed this life on Monday, September, 18, 2017. She was a journalist, historian, and published author/folklorist, the recipient of a bicentennial award, a National Endowment for the Arts award for the study of Spanish colonial dramas, "Los Moros y Cristianos" and "Los Pastores", with exhibits at the Smithsonian, the American History Encounters Project and a 1992 grant from the New Mexico Quincentenary Commission; a Ford Foundation grant for study in Spain; and a UNM grant for study in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in the Humanities from the College of Santa Fe.

Josie strongly encouraged education and career development, and supported scholarship programs including the Presbyterian Espanola Hospital Foundation, the MANA del Norte Scholarship program, and the Christopher Montalvo Memorial Scholarship. She was a champion for the people of Northern New Mexico and served many years in numerous organizations, including: Presbyterian Espanola Hospital Foundation, Community Board of Trustees, and Hospital Auxiliary; the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary; the MANA del Norte Scholarship Program Committee; the Santa Cruz Irrigation District Board of Directors; and the New Mexico Acequia Association. She was a former Commissioner of the State of NM Acequia Commission, and a long-time associate researcher for Rio Quemado, Rio en Medio, Rio Frijoles, and Rio Santa Cruz Stream System Community Ditch Associations.

Above all else, Josie devoted her life to raising her family in the Catholic faith. She planted the seeds for a love of books, passion for travel, and pursuit of life-long learning, and continued to nurture these values in her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.

She is preceded in death by husband, Joe Percy Lujan of Pecos, fathers Leandro Espinoza and Jose Erineo Espinoza, mothers, Magdalena Trujillo Espinoza and Pilar Cordova Espinoza, brothers Ernesto and Ben, sister Celsa Quintana, father-in-law Jose A. Lujan, and mothers-in-law Genoveva Garcia Lujan and Melinda Valencia Perez, and grandson Christopher Montalvo. Josie is survived by her five daughters: Mary Esther (Tom Lucero), Mary Rose (Michael Montalvo), Mary Jo (Kenny Martinez), Mary Beth, Mary Margaret (Stephen Ney); grandchildren: Valerie Huerta, Nathaniel Montalvo, Theresa Toomey (Jack), Benjamin Huerta, LeeAnne Montalvo, Adeline Ney, Sienna Ney, Diego Lucero, and Carlos Lucero (Maggie); great-grandchildren: Eric David Giron, Darren Giron, Christopher Montalvo-Ruiz, Nicholas Toomey, Mateo Toomey, Brenden Lucero, and Olivia Lucero; special friend Del Valdez; sister Martha Vigil; sisters-in-law Ruby Marchant and Theresa Espinoza; uncles Narciso Trujillo and Guadalupe Trujillo; brothers-in-law Lydro Perez (Elva) and Robert Perez (Mary); and many other relatives and friends.

Josie’s passion was northern New Mexico–its people, land, acequias, and traditions–and her happiest days were spent working in her garden. She will be greatly missed by all.

Services pending through Rivera Family Funeral Home.