Elsie Eleanor Padilla, a beacon of love and creativity, was called home to the Lord on Feb. 17, 2025, at the age of 82. Born on Oct. 12, 1942, in the serene town of Cerro, N.M., she was a daughter of the South, whose heart beat in time with the rhythms of the mountains and the melodies of Spanish music.
Sister Elsie, as she was affectionately known, was a woman of faith, a devout Catholic Daughter who walked in the light of the Lord. Her life was a testament to her belief, as she devoted countless hours to St. Vincent’s and various church charities, embodying the very essence of Christian love and charity. She was a vessel of the Holy Spirit, her heart as open as the heavens, welcoming one and all into her embrace.
Her creative spirit was a flame that burned brightly, illuminating the lives of those around her. Elsie found joy in the simple pleasures of life — her hands were rarely still, as she delighted in arts and crafts, sewing, and collecting treasures that spoke to her soul. She was an artist, a creator, a woman whose imagination knew no bounds.
Elsie's love for her family was as vast as the Colorado sky. She leaves behind a legacy of love in her daughter Veronica (Dawayne) Weaver, her son Adam (Clista Brown) Lucero, her precious grandchildren Shania (Carson Joy) Gonzales, Johnathan Gonzales, Joshua (Lori DePreist) Gonzales, Darian Lucero, Aubrie Lucero, and Alicia (Gabe) Calkins, and her adored great-grandchildren Riely, David, Jaelin, and Luke. Her brothers Manuel (Sabina) Archuleta, Tony Archuleta, and her sisters Romaine Gallegos, Georgia (Tommy) Allen, and Gloria Archuleta, along with numerous cherished family members, will hold her memory dear.
In the great tapestry of life, Elsie's threads were vibrant and strong. She danced through life to the rhythm of Spanish music, her spirit as free as the mountain streams where she loved to fish. John Wayne may have been her favorite movie star, but in the story of her life, Elsie was the true hero — faith-filled, creative, and loving.
We bid farewell to Sister Elsie, knowing that she is now dancing with the angels, her laughter a melody that will forever echo in the mountains she so dearly loved. Though she has departed from this earthly realm, her spirit will continue to inspire and guide us. Elsie Eleanor Padilla, a beloved child of God, has found her eternal peace.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation and viewing at Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, from noon to 2 p.m. followed by the Recitation of the Rosary beginning at 2 p.m.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes and words of comfort for Elsie’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.
