Annette Padilla

Annette Padilla (Herdejurgen) 89, passed away at her Moriarty home on April 28,2024. Annette was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Epifanio “Jr.” Padilla. She is survived by her four children, Johnny Padilla and wife Donnette, Robert Padilla and wife Gretta, Wendy Montez and husband Gilbert and Paul Padilla and wife Linda. She has 10 grandchildren,17 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Annette Herdejurgen was born in Houston Texas to John and Mildred Herdejurgen on October 25, 1934. She had 3 brothers, Jack, Ross and Arthur “Sonny”, all deceased. The family moved to New Mexico in 1946 and she graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1952. Annette would proudly tell you of her time as a telephone operator in Albuquerque before she was married. It was in Albuquerque that she met the love of her life Jr., who called her ‘Blondie’. Jr. and Blondie were married on Halloween 1953, 2 weeks after he returned from Korea. They lived at several places early in their marriage, including Albuquerque, Gallup, and Edgewood, running gas stations before settling in Moriarty in 1970. If you asked her, she would say she never worked outside the home, but after Jr. began to run his own business, Annette was invaluable in keeping the books for over 25 years. An amazing cook, this Texan learned to prepare New Mexican food to perfection. She was a devoted mother and wife, who took great pride in her family. She enjoyed a bit of gardening, watching science fiction/fantasy and cartoons, collecting Barbies, stuffed animals and much jewelry but Quilting was her passion and has made many beautiful quilts. She was still able to quilt until the final weeks of her life and was still working on a quilt before she had to be hospitalized. In fact, she sent a baby quilt to her newest great-great granddaughter just weeks before she passed. We were all extremely lucky to have had such a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. We are never ready to let go, but we also know that she lived a long full life and deserves to rest. We have lost so much with her passing but are grateful for the time we had and that she is no longer in pain. Jr. and Blondie are together again.