- Date Of Birth: June 28, 1942
- Date Of Death: September 14, 2022
- State: New Mexico
Lucy Chacon Vigil passed away September 14, 2022 in Albuquerque, NM. She was born June 28, 1942 in Cleveland, NM to parents Juan B. Vigil and Marie C. Parsen. She is survived by her sons Edwin J. Buck and Hammon H. Buck of Albuquerque, NM; sisters Mabel Esquibel of Las Vegas, NM, Angie Duran of Albuquerque, NM, Joann (Sam) Lopez of Wagon Mound, NM, Elaine (Tim) Areallano of Denver, CO; niece Denise (Brett) Roland-Scott and nephew Ronnie Maestas, both of Albuquerque, NM. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Frances Vigil; and brothers Joseph Vigil and Felix Vigil.
Lucy attended school in Mora, New Mexico and at the Loretto Academy in Santa Fe, NM. As a young woman, Lucy lived with her husband, Edwin Buck and their two children in Singapore and in Bangkok, Thailand. In Bangkok, she taught English as a Second Language at the American University Alumni Language Center from 1974 – 1975. Lucy learned to speak, read and write the Thai language at an elementary level. Her love of language led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics at the University of New Mexico. A gifted instructor, Lucy touched the lives of countless students in her teaching career. She was a professor of Spanish at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, at Indiana University, Purdue University at Indianapolis, Northern Arizona University, and at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, from where she retired in 2010.
Lucy was a loving mother who taught her children by example the qualities of independence, resilience, a strong work ethic, humor, and compassion. Lucy loved being around friends and family and always made her home a warm and welcoming place for her guests. Lucy shared a life-long friendship with her cousins, Leroy Chacon (Judy) of Phoenix, AZ and Claudio Chacón of Cleveland, NM, who was like a brother to her. Later in life, she also developed a sibling-like bond with her stepbrother, Eligio (Rose) Vigil of Las Cruces. She had special relationships with nieces on her mother’s side Alicia Chacón of Chacón, NM, Julie Chacón of Phoenix, AZ, and on her father’s side, Anjelique Romero and Anyssa Romero of Las Vegas, NM. Other extended family Maria-Elena Chacón, Rubin Vigil, Carol Gonzales, Carmen Romero, Iris Vigil, Eva Vigil and numerous other friends and neighbors were also very close to her heart.
In the six years preceding her death, Lucy fought valiantly against ovarian cancer. She maintained a positive attitude and, without a doubt, her Catholic faith sustained her through many difficult times. Lucy volunteered at her church, the Immaculate Conception, in Albuquerque as lector, Eucharistic minister, at Bread & Blessings, and in whatever capacity she was needed. She was cared for by Amber Care in her last days.
