Maria Rita Isabelle Perea

Maria Rita Isabelle Perea, 81, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2021. Rita was born in Vaughn, New Mexico on November 5, 1939. She was the youngest daughter of seven children, and she sang in the choir as a youth. She worked at the Department of Motor Vehicle for many years. She loved to dance, was a talented painter, an incredible cook, and she made the best red and green chili. Rita became engaged to her late husband Robert Orlando Perea in 1964, married on July 5th 1969 at St. Francis Cathedral, and they were one month away from celebrating their 50th Anniversary.  

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Robert Perea, her parents, Anastacio G. and Margarita M. Arguello; her parents in law, Edward and Beatrice Perea, brother and sister in law Edward and Anita Perea, her brothers and sisters; Alfonso, Manuel, Marcos (Luz), Vivian (Placido) Ulibarri, and Carmen (Andy) Garcia, and her two children who died at birth. She is survived by her brother Peter Alfonso Arguello, nephews Anthony, Nick (Maryann), Jose (Josephine), Patrick, Charlie, and Andy, and nieces Margaret Arguello, Rosann (Pat), Kathy (David) Webb, Janet (Robert) Armijo, and Jessica (Florencio), two sons Robert (Jessica) and Richard Perea; grandchildren Aurora, Jacob, Isabelle and Gabriel, and numerous other relatives and loving friends.  

Rita’s life resembled that of her favorite patron Saint Rita of Cascia; she lived a life of remarkable humility, long suffering, faith, and prayer. She was a blessing to all who knew her as she was witty, gracious, kind and good to everyone. Although she will be greatly missed, she has left us with her gift of enduring peace and love.

All Services will be held virtually on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. click on this  link      https://www.viewlogies.net/rivera/TtlcQfbcF user name: Rita Perea Pin: 446-185

Interment will take place on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Due to Covid there will not be any services held at the cemetery.