Kay Madrid

Virginia Kay Madrid, loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and great-grandmother, passed away on November 2, 2022, with her family by her side. She was born April 19, 1928 in Cuba NM to: Jose Efren Lovato and Maria Elvira Lovato (Carrillo).   She grew up on a family farm and attended school in Cuba, NM.  Her father passed away at the young age of 36. Upon his death, her mom, brothers, and sisters moved in with their grandmother in Durango, Colorado. Sadly, within a few years, her mother would pass of cancer.  Her brothers and sisters formed a very close bond, as they all united, got jobs, and found a way to support each other. While working in Durango, she met her future husband, James Madrid.  They began their lives and family together in Aztec, NM. She, her husband and six children would move to Santa Fe New Mexico where she remained until her death.

She was a very positive, joyful, and loving person.  Her children all heard from those who met and knew her “We just love your mom.”  When she greeted people, it was always with lit-up-eyes and a big smile.

Kay was first and foremost a devoted mother.   Education was very important to her, and she vowed to “scrub floors”, if need be, in order for her children attend college.  She encouraged her children to learn to swim, play a musical instrument, and of course do well in school.  One of her greatest gifts was gratitude toward others, whether it was a gift or food she received or even a visit. That gratefulness for everything and everyone in life, and that level of gratitude would remain with her till her last breath. Her final words to all were: “I’m so happy to see you.” 

She enjoyed playing card games, especially with her children and on camping trips to Vallecito and Ground Hog Lake. She was an incredible cook, especially her red chili and beans, as well as her cherry pies and cinnamon rolls.  Her love for the water fomented her hobbies.  She an excellent swimmer and enjoyed diving.  Later, she would take synchronized swimming, and at the age of 70, even snorkeled with sting rays and sharks in the Cayman Islands.   In her 60’s she took up jazzercise at the local community college, where her daughter, who taught there, again heard “I just love your mom!”  She enjoyed going to the horse races and once won a large trifecta. She was able to travel to many places, but, given a choice, her favorite places to travel were always locations where her brothers, sisters and other family members lived.

She will be remembered most for her joyful and loving spirit and her love for family, and her gratitude for all in life. We all will miss her dearly.  

She is proceeded in death by her Husband James Madrid Her brother Joe and Junior Lovato, Her sister Carmen Valdez, Lucy Meifu,  and Kelly Torrez.

She is survived by: Her sister Tillie Salazar (Mallie), her daughters: Debra Madrid-Doyle (Michael), Patty Madrid, and Dolores Sala (David), her sons Michael Madrid, Ted Madrid, Kenny Madrid (Pam). Her grandchildren JJ Dalton, Sonia Madrid, Jobe Madrid, Jessica Madrid (Mark), Curry Sutton (Darren) , Marcos Madrid, Kelly Madrid, Samantha De la O, Dillon Sala, Marisa Sala, great Granddaughter- Lilia Salazar, and many nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be held on 6:00 pm, November 16th, 2022 at Rivera Family Home in Santa Fe, NM.

A mass will be held at St John’s Catholic Church in Santa Fe, November 17th, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow immediately at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.   Lunch-reception- at Maria’s Restaurant at 1:30.