Joella Coca

Joella Rosemary Coca, 66, of Santa Fe and formerly of Taos passed away on August 26, 2021.  She was a caring mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. After graduating from Taos High School, she worked in Taos and later on was elected as the Taos County Clerk, a job she was most proud of and loved.  Her life then took her to Santa Fe where she worked at the State of New Mexico’s Lieutenant Governor’s office and the Attorney General’s office.  After retiring from the State of New Mexico, she then helped support her daughters with their growing family. 

Joella Coca is preceded in death by her daughter, Melissa DeVargas, who passed away on January 14, 2021, and her brother Paul Arthur Coca.  She is survived by her daughters, Bernadette DeVargas (Anthony Esquibel) and Gabrielle Coca (Daniel Garcia); her grandchildren, Shianne and Nathaniel DeVargas, Santiago Gallegos, Isaiah Gallegos (Ashleigh Edwards), Diego, Damian, and Angelina Pedroncelli, Anthony and Angelique Esquibel, Dominic Valerio, Jewelian & Jaicob Garcia; her great grandchildren, Linayah and Adrian Ortiz, & Arabella Shepard; her parents, Arthur Coca, Albina “Binnie” Coca, and her sisters, Shirley Coca, Denise Coca-McIlvenna (Scott McIlvenna), and Kimberly Coca-Moore (Patrick Moore) and many other relatives and cherished friends.

Joella Coca loved her family the most in this world and wanted each one of them to succeed and capture their dreams.  She was her family’s guiding force and forever will be so.  She loved talking and listening to people and helping others.  She spent her time volunteering for the Catholic Daughters and Union Proctiva in Santa Fe, La Leche League, and political organizations in Taos and Santa Fe county.  Everyone that knew Joella was touched by her kindness, humor, and her compassion.

Joella’s daughter, Melissa DeVargas, age 48, passed away on January 14, 2021.  Melissa was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and mother of five children.  Melissa was raised in Taos, New Mexico.  She also attended Taos High School where she excelled in school as a Junior Class President and was a cheerleader from elementary school to high school.  Melissa was known for her beautiful smile, kind heart, her playful humor, her passion for life, and for the love of her children and family.

Melissa DeVargas was preceded in death by her father, Jesse DeVargas, paternal grandparents Juan and Lena DeVargas, her maternal uncle, Paul Arthur Coca and her godmother, Anna DeVargas.  Melissa is survived by her maternal grandparents, Arthur and Albina “Binnie” Coca; her five children, Santiago Gallegos, Isaiah Gallegos (Ashleigh Edwards), Diego, Damian, and Angelina Pedroncelli; her sisters, Bernadette DeVargas (Anthony Esquibel), and Gabrielle Coca (Daniel Garcia); her Godfather, Louie Garcia, plus many other relatives, and cherished friends. 

Joella Coca and Melissa DeVargas will always be loved, never forgotten, and forever missed.  When they were together, you know hugs, smiles, and laughter were going to fill the room. They will always be remembered for their cheerful laughs and big hearts. The family would like to thank everyone for all their love, prayers, and support during this time.

A rosary will be held for both Joella Coca and Melissa DeVargas on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 6 PM at Rivera Funeral Home.  A funeral mass to celebrate their lives will be held on Friday, September 3, 2021 at 10 AM at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church with interment to follow at the Talpa Cemetery.

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com