With deep sorrow we announce the passing of Magdalena (Lena) Padilla who died on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 in Las Vegas, NM at the age of 90.
She was born on April 24, 1935 to Isabel Cordova and Toribio Archuleta in Pueblo, CO where she grew up with her six brothers and sisters. While at a dance, she met her future husband, Estevan Padilla. They married and moved to New Mexico, where she started her family and lived the rest of her life.
Magdalena was very proud of her children and grandchildren. She was a faith filled woman, even with all the losses of four of her sons and her grandson, she still remained steadfast in her love for God and her church. She loved to read, do puzzles, paint, and play bingo on her I-Pad. She was an amazing cook.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Toribio and Isabel Archuleta; husband, Estevan Padilla; sons, Steve, Richard, Ruben, and Toby Padilla as well as grandson, Marcelino Trujillo. Also preceding her are all her siblings; David, Richard, and Lawrence Archuleta, Theresa (Carlos) Sisneros, Annie Pincus, and Juanita (Albert) Roldan, as well as her niece Rita (Ruben) Baca, whom she considered more like a sister; her father and mother-in-law, Cosme and Cleotilde Padilla; sister-in-law, Merejilda Tafoya; brothers-in-law, Max, Agustin (Maria), and Roberto.
Surviving Lena are her daughters, Sadie Trujillo and Lorraine (Cristy) Garduno, and her son, Ralph (Yolanda) Padilla; daughters-in-law, Judy Padilla, Sylvia Padilla, and Geraldine Padilla. Her grandchildren are: Joyce (Mike) Chavez and family; Isabella (Chris) Burdick and family; Steve (Ary) Padilla and sons; Gary (Itzel) and daughter; Antonio Padilla and daughter; Anna Padilla; Michael (Isabella) Padilla; Jason Garduno and family; Matthew Padilla; Kris Padilla; Gabie (Seth) Estrada and family; Miranda (Scott) Mountz and family; Miranda (Dancy) Sinclair and family; and her youngest granddaughter, Chelsie Padilla. In addition to having over ten great-grandchildren, she also had two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Mary Padilla, Eloisa Archuleta, and Trinidad Tapia as well as the Muldavin family and many special friends and nephews/nieces from New Mexico and Colorado, including Toby and Sharon Sisneros.
The rosary will be at 7:00 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Friday, October 3, 2025 and the funeral Mass will be at the same church on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 10:00, with Father Dennis Garcia. Burial will follow at St. Anthony's cemetery off of 8th Street extension.
Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Ave., Las Vegas, NM 87701, 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.
Please visit our online website www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.