Bernadette "Bernie" Tafoya

Bernadette “Bernie” Tafoya

Age 71

7/18/1953-12/17/2024

It is with great sorrow we announce the unexpected passing of Bernadette Tafoya on December 17 with her husband at her side. She had been in declining health for some time. 

Bernie is preceded in death by her mother Ruth Lemus, father Julian Lemus, brother Julian “Sonny” Lemus, father-in-law Jose Tafoya sr., mother-in-law Ruth Tafoya, sister-in-law June Tafoya, and brother-in-law Isaac Tafoya. 

She is survived by her husband Jose Tafoya , three daughters Andrea Evan’s, Annette Ontiveros and Bernadette Vigil, step son Daniel Tafoya, Brother Kenny Lemus, Sister Ruth Harris, Stepmother Esperanza Lemus, three Sisters in law Martha Carrasco, Norma Lemus, Virginia Dillinger, Glenda Tafoya, two brothers-in-law, Michael Harris and Arthur Tafoya, and her 6 grandchildren that brought her so much joy, Devante, Jaylen, Janeah, Kalina, Aaliyah and Leon. 

Bernie was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister. Her smile brought light to everyone in the room. Her family was the most important part of her life. She had an unrelenting love and devotion to her family.

Bernie was born and raised in El Paso TX. This is where she started her nursing career that spanned over thirty years, starting as a young nursing student at the age of 16. Her passion for patient care and her excellent medical knowledge had a profound effect on the lives of her patients and their families. Bernie was their advocate during those most difficult times and treated her patients with utmost respect and dignity. 

Bernie also lived and worked in Albuquerque NM and later in Dixon NM after marrying Jose in 1997. They later moved to Los Alamos where they live until October of 2023. During this time, she had to give up nursing due to a stroke that rendered her disabled in 2005. This forced a change in her life of caring for others to focus on her recovery and new way of life. She found joy in taking hikes on the wonderful neighborhood trails and in the parks in Los Alamos. Bernie took up painting and that uncovered a talent that brought her and those that saw her work joy for many years. She spent the last year back in her home in Dixon where she and Jose were able to enjoy its quite beauty and spend quality time together, both knowing how deeply they were loved. 

Bernie left this world a better place with a life well lived and she will be missed but her love will live on in the hearts of her family and friends that love her so very much.

A private Memorial will take place at a later date. 

The family would like to thank the following people;

Dr Mesibov and his staff for their considerate compassionate care of Bernie’s health care needs over the years, doing so much to provide the best quality of life possible. Rivera Funeral Home for making the process as comfortable as is possible. A special thank you to Kathleen Tafoya for being there for us at a moment’s notice for the past several years. Kathy was a kind caregiver and friend to Bernie in her time of need. You kept her laughing and smiling.

Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola, NM would like to thank the family of Bernadette Tafoya for their trust. (505)753-2288