Bertha Vigil Rodriguez was born in the village of Cundiyó, NM to Noberto and Elena Vigil on June 19, 1939. She passed away Dec. 11, 2024. She was the youngest of her siblings Adelina, Joe, Pita, and Ruby (there were two Ruby’s – one passed away as a child).
Bertha attended Cundiyó Elementary and Pojoaque Elementary. She graduated from Loretto Academy. She began college at the young age of 16. She attended the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University, and and obtained a Masters of Arts in Foreign Languages in 1973.
Bertha taught Spanish for the Pojoaque School District for 25 years. She founded the Spanish club, El Círculo Español. This club continued to grow throughout her years at Pojoaque. She wanted to share the Spanish language, culture, and traditions with all her students. They made several trips to Mexico after many fund-raising endeavors, including making and selling adobes. They presented numerous plays at the school for the community, including El Wizard de Pojoaque. Many of her former students have reached out during this time to share their memories of these plays and their beloved teacher. Every year at Christmas time, she would load up her students in the back of the truck with blankets and pillows, and they would sing Spanish Christmas carols to many families throughout the Pojoaque Valley. They were welcomed with bowls of posole, red chile, tamales, and hot chocolate.
Bertha thoroughly enjoyed this club. She always said, “It was the best club ever.” It was one of the most memorable aspects of her career. Bertha touched the lives of many students, and many became Spanish teachers, of which she was very proud.
When Bertha was young, she spent much time outdoors “in the saddle.” She was an incredible horseback rider. She would go to the Pecos Wilderness to check on cows and to fish. She took many trips to Joe L Vigil Lake, which was named after her brother.
Bertha said the highlight of her life was the birth of her only child, Rita. She was a dedicated mother who made every moment special. Even as an adult, Bertha spent many days shopping, going to the casino, fishing, and going out to eat with her daughter. They were best friends. She was always there to listen and give advice, whether Rita asked for it or not. However, she was always right!
In 1987, Bertha met her now silver-haired fox, Salvador (Rod) Rodriguez. They married on March 20, 1991. They had 34 wonderful years together. They retired and traveled to many places. Their adventures took them to Mexico, Alaska, Canada, and Laughlin, NV. They traveled in their camper and would cook all their favorite NM foods along the way. Before Bertha passed, she said that no one could have loved her better or taken better care of her than Rod. He was the love of her life, and she was so grateful for the life they built together.
Nothing made Bertha happier or prouder than her grandchildren, Bryan and Elena. She always supported their endeavors, whether she agreed with them or not. Bryan and Bertha had a very close relationship before he passed in 2008, which impacted her tremendously. Bertha was an incredible grandmother. She was ecstatic when she found out Elena had reenrolled in college courses. It was a dream that she always wanted for her.
She adored her great-grandchildren Emmet, Liliana, Elicia, and Juliette. She was excited to meet her newest great-grandson in April. Bertha would FaceTime with them regularly. Grandma “Birthday”, as she was called by her great-grandchildren, loved these visits as much as they did. They would talk for hours!
The family would like to thank everyone who visited Bertha at her home, at the hospital,
and at the rehabilitation center. A special thank you to Rene Lopez and Phyllis Gallegos, who comforted her with prayers, music, and biscochitos. The family is extremely grateful to the Los Alamos Wellness and Rehabilitation Center for taking the utmost care of Bertha during her final days. They would also like to thank Father John Daniel and the staff at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and sent love and prayers. The family has entrusted the care of Bertha to DeVargas Funeral Home.
Bertha is proceeded in death by her parents, Noberto and Elena Vigil; siblings, Adelina Vigil, Ruby Vigil, Ruby Johnson, Pita Lujan, and Joe Vigil; loving grandson, Bryan Sanchez.
She is survived by the love of her life, Salvador Rodriguez; daughter, Rita Sanchez; granddaughter, Elena (Emmet) Bauer; great-grandchildren, Emmet, Liliana, Elicia, and Juliette who lovingly called her “Grandma Birthday”; unborn great-grandson, Bryan; stepchildren, David Rodriguez, Paul (Janet) Rodriguez, Diana (Terry) Burge; special step-grandchild, Shannon (Mike) Jones, and step-grandchildren that she treated as herown. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.
There will be Rosary at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 3700 Canyon Road in Los Alamos, NM, on Friday Dec. 20, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. with Mass to follow at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at 1:30 pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.