Alfreda Martinez

Taos Pueblo, passed away on March 12, 2022. Alfreda was born on March 20, 1954 to parents Alfred and Annie Suazo who preceded her in death. Over the years Alfreda worked in various capacities at Taos Pueblo, including the Community Action Program, as dispatcher for the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety and served on different tribal committees and Boards such as the first Taos Pueblo Utility Authority Board and served on the Pueblo’s Gaming Commission for seven years. As such Alfreda was one of many tribal members who quietly and willingly serve Taos Pueblo in its efforts for community improvement and development. For many years Alfreda worked for the Indian Health Service at the Taos Pueblo Health Center from where she retired. She was the wife of Taos Pueblo Cacique and former Governor Paul T. Martinez, with whom she was to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this coming June. Alfreda had a great “hidden” artistic talent that she never exploited for commercial use but donated her artwork for display at the Taos Pueblo Health Center. She also sewed moccasins and other footwear for traditional uses. In addition to parents Alfred and Annie Suazo, Alfreda was preceded in death by sister Emily Alice Brown and Brother-in-Law Richard Brown, an infant brother, nephew Larry Brown, grandparents Julian and Marina Suazo, Cristino and Paulita Mirabal, father and mother-in-law Candido and Marie T. Martinez, sister-inlaw Bertha Vigil and brother-in-law John Vigil. She is survived by husband Paul T. Martinez, niece Yvonne Trujillo (Arcenio Trujillo), nephew Corwin Vigil (Cori Vigil), great niece Aurora Valdez (Juan Valdez), great-nephews Adonis Trujillo (Mona Nozhackum), Arcenio Trujillo (Caitlyn Trujillo), Candido Concha (her baby), Martika Anaya, Zy Tafoya, Shalynn Tafoya, Matthew Vigil, Corwin Vigil, great-nephew Quaylum Nozhackum,, siblings Gilbert Suazo Sr., (Martha), Richard Allen Suazo (Reesa), and Fidel Suazo, nieces and nephews Reva Ann Suazo, Karen Jean Suazo, Gail Martinez and family, Michelle Suazo, Marian & Jalyn Concha, Tiana Suazo, Sonia Suazo and family, Gilbert Suazo Jr., Daniel V. Suazo, Terrence Suazo, Alfred Suazo Sr., Julian K. Suazo, Allen Suazo, Ryan Suazo, Antone Suazo & daughter Alliana, Aspen Suazo, Aidan Suazo, Eli Suazo, Aunt Rose Concha and family, and many relatives from the Suazo, Mirabal and Martinez families. The family appreciates the support and assistance provided by the Taos Pueblo Governor’s and War Chief’s Offices, St Jerome Fiscales, Father Dan Gutierrez, Deacon Jerry Quintana, Taos Pueblo CMS, Mountain Home Health Hospice Care, Linda Yardley and Marie Padilla, the staff at Holy Cross Hospital, the Taos Indian Health Center and relatives and friends of Alfreda.