Ruth Archuleta

Ruth Archuleta, 89 of Cerro, NM and a resident of Meadows Home, Las Vegas, NM, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children at Alta Vista Regional Hospital, Las Vegas, NM on Monday, January 20, 2025. Ruth was one of thirteen children born to the late Gil Blas and Clorinda Gallegos. She was born in 1935 in Antonito, CO. Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Tomas Archuleta, siblings Mary Emily Foster, Tillie Berryhill, Nora Archuleta, Mercy Sears, Joyce Hyatt, Joe Gallegos, Arcenio Gallegos, Crisiforo Gallegos, and Adonario Gallegos, and numerous aunts and uncles. Ruth proudly raised six children who she is survived by; Felix Archuleta Jr “Tato”, Patsy (Lorenzo) Aceves, Raymond “Dino” (Krystal) Archuleta, Denise (Edward) Vigil, Deborah Carroll, and Jamie Archuleta. Ruth is also survived by her sisters Pat Lester, Jean (Arnold) Cisneros, Mary Edna Carr, and Carolyn Gallegos and brothers Gil Jr (Margaret) Gallegos and Albert Gallegos, grandchildren Michelle (Kerry), Lorenzo, Sonya (Leonard), Ruby and Renée (Angelo), 8 great grandchildren, godsons Lawrence “Lolo” Archuleta, Julian Salazar, goddaughters Betty DeLatorre and Maxine Mascareňas, Tia Teresa Gonzales, Lucio Quintana who was like a brother, and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. 

At a young age, Ruth was raised with her siblings herding the family’s sheep and cattle in the surrounding chamisal now known as The Wild Rivers, Latir and Chiflo canyons, and in and around Guadalupe and Ute mountains. Some of Ruth’s skills she attained while herding stock and working the land were being able to ride horseback, operating tractors, driving stick shift, and letting out a shrill whistle (chiflada) that would make a person’s ears ring. Ruth left home with her best friend and Cousin Fella to pursue nurse studies in Denver. Before completing schooling, Ruth met and married Felix Archuleta, and they started a family in Boone, CO. Ruth’s early jobs included working in nearby potato and onion farms while raising her young family. Work brought the Archuleta family back to New Mexico, the family grew, and Ruth began her career as a business owner. Ruth was very talented in crafts, sewing and flowers and was an excellent cook of New Mexican cuisine. She successfully owned and operated flower/gift shops and restaurants throughout the northern region to include Ruth’s Flowers and Gifts, El Seville Restaurant in Questa and El Sombrero Cafés in Eagle Nest and Ranchos de Taos. After parting ways with her husband of over 20 years, Ruth found herself a single parent with three children still at home, but that only made her stronger and more determined to make a good life for her family. She met and married Tomas Archuleta, and she went on to own and operate numerous other businesses. In conjunction with her gift shops, she also owned El Sombrero Café in Taos, Wild Rivers Plaza Café in Cerro, and Plaza Cafés in Costilla, Red River, and Cerro. In between owning businesses, Ruth also managed and operated the Mad, Mad World of Ice Cream & Game Room in Taos and worked a number of years at El Pueblo Café in Taos, Western Auto, Faust’s Transportation, and Rivera Family Funeral Home, Taos.

Following her father’s interest in politics, she was an active Republican Party member, and ran for Taos County Clerk in 1986. Although she was not elected, she remained politically interested and active. Ruth was also active with community and events, often participating in parades with elaborate floats. In the ‘80’s, Ruth, Tom, and family began what would become an annual family event of free Christmas dinners for those who might not have the means or family to spend Christmas with. Ruth never sought out praise or recognition, but after several events, she was featured in an article of The Taos News for her years of generosity. Her generosity would continue long after she retired from cooking. She took up quilt making, and through the years, she gave many quilts to family members, and she also donated quilts to the Taos Men’s Shelter and CAV. Ruth was always helping others, and on occasion, she even housed and gave jobs to those willing to work, mostly other family members still in high school or finishing school. If you weren’t family, she soon made you feel like you were. In later years, Ruth took a big step and became caregiver to her Great Tia Natividad Vigil who was elderly and had no immediate family. She cared for her for many years until her great aunt’s passing.

Ruth loved music of all genres and dancing, and when younger, she would sew a new dress to wear for the upcoming weekend dances she and her friends would frequently attend. Her sewing, like everything else she did, was done with such great attention to detail, that she even made wedding gowns and dresses for entire wedding parties, plus the veils and flowers. Some of her favorite pastimes included sewing, beadwork, crafting, piñon picking, bingo, and slots. Ruth’s love for gambling began long before casinos with frequent trips to the horse and dog race tracks in Raton, Santa Fe, and Pueblo, Colorado. She was very lucky, so much that she won four vehicles at bingo and slots in just a few years’ span, and again, making The Taos News. It is believed her winnings came as a result of the generosity she had shown others throughout the years. If she won, everyone won, as she would share her winnings with those who accompanied her. Ruth was always in the driver’s seat, which she enjoyed very much, especially if behind the wheel of a long luxury car. She loved everything to bling and shine, from her clothing, to her jewelry, to her cars, and if it didn’t shine enough, she would enhance things with rhinestones and rainbow tape. She and Tom purchased a motor home, and Ruth shuttled friends and family on trips to Cripple Creek, Laughlin, and sometimes just to cruise the Enchanted Circle. Since she frequented the casinos regularly, she decided it was a good idea, and she acquired a job shuttling casino goers from the north to casinos south of Española, which meant often driving late nights and through treacherous road conditions. No job was too big a challenge for Ruth to take on. Ruth was known by family as “The Energizer Bunny” and Tom was her “Timex Watch, who took a lickin’ and kept on tickin’”. For many, to take on a fraction of what she accomplished in her lifetime would seem impossible. If you were fortunate enough to know Ruth, you would agree that she truly was a remarkable and resilient person who left an everlasting impression, and she will be dearly missed by all.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Alta Vista Regional Hospital ER doctors and staff members who acted swiftly and provided comfort and care during Ruth’s last hours. The family is forever grateful to Meadows Home Long Term Care who provided 24-hour care to Ruth these last 3 months, and who, in a short time, effectively became an extended family to Ruth and her family. There are too many staff members to list, as each of them played an important part in providing love and care to Ruth. Also, the family is grateful to Red Willow Hospice, Isabelle, Marcie and its staff members who lovingly assisted Ruth and her family at home for 2 years before entering in to long term care. The family also would like to thank Father Dennis Garcia for his hospital visit and Ruth’s final blessing. Thank you to Jacque and Annaliese and the Rivera Family Funeral Home for your loving care of our Beloved Ruth. Thank you to all who visited, called and prayed for her during her illness.

A memorial service to honor Ruth’s life will be held at a later date.