Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Loretta Villa Nunez.
Nunez, 66, was carried home to our Lord Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019.
Interment will follow the services at Woodbine Cemetery.
A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Grace.
Loretta was born Sept. 15, 1953, in Artesia to Abel and Christine Nunez. She attended elementary, junior high and high school in Artesia.
After graduation, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Language Arts from Eastern New Mexico University.
She also held certificates in Early Childhood Education and Bilingual Education and was a Certified Reading Recovery Teacher. Her 30-year career in education included teaching in Hobbs, Roswell and Artesia.
Loretta retired from teaching in Artesia after 20 years. She received many accolades from her peers, supervisors and students. She was dedicated to her profession and committed to her students. She kept a note from one that says, “Mrs.
Nunez has a big smile. She works hard to help kids…” and that describes who she was; she touched many lives through her teaching and her love of life.
She was adventurous, gregarious (never met a stranger), and loved music, and enjoyed following favorite TV shows, watching movies, and trying her luck at the casinos.
Loretta had an ability to make you smile and laugh; she could lift your spirits with her humor.
She had a sense of wonderment, and viewing Christmas lights and Fourth of July fireworks were two of her favorite pastimes. She will be deeply missed by those who knew her and loved her, but it brings us peace to know she is no longer in any pain. She will not be forgotten and lives on in our hearts and minds.
Survivors include her mother, Christine, of Artesia; the loves of her life, daughter Mia Nunez Morales, husband Eric, and grandchildren Urijah and Eligh of Artesia; sister Violanda Nunez of Santa Fe; niece Niko Milan Newton, husband Tadeo, and great-nephew Gabriel of Santa Fe; and best friend and confidant Nora Sanchez, husband Lorenzo, daughter Audrey and husband Nathan, granddaughter Kathryn, and son Sergio.
She was preceded in death by her father, Abel.
The family wishes to thank all who have helped with the arrangements, especially Mary Flores at Our Lady of Grace and the staff of Terpening & Son Mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.
artesiafunerals.com.
