Lorraine Padilla

Lorraine Padilla was born in Las Ánimas, Colorado, and later moved to Dilia, New Mexico; she passed away peacefully on April 13, 2025, at the age of 88. She was born on January 17, 1937, to Excelsa and Joe Márquez of Dilia, NM. Lorraine earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Eastern New Mexico University and dedicated her professional life to education. She taught Spanish at Goddard High School and Roswell High School, where she inspired generations of students with her passion for language and culture. She was married to the love of her life, Dr. Bennie Padilla, for sixty-eight years. Together, they built a strong, loving family and a home filled with warmth and tradition. Lorraine is survived by her children: Cynthia Garcia (Nick Garcia), Andre Padilla (Nancy Lara), Bonnie Lou Padilla, and Alonzo Padilla (partner, the late Pam Harrell), all of Roswell. She was a proud grandmother to five grandsons: Charlie Bell of Albuquerque; Dominic Bell, and Caitlin Short, mother of their daughter Desirae Bell of Roswell; Leroy Bell of Roswell, father of Charlie and Dominic; Scott Straley of Las Cruces; and Angelo Padilla and wife Jennifer Padilla, along with their sons, Angelo Bennie and Amari of Ventura, California. Lorraine cherished spending time with friends at Bingo and the casino, and she was a devoted Catholic who gave generously to several churches, especially Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dilia NM. Her Sunday family dinners were a beloved tradition, bringing immediate and extended family together. She was a guiding light to many nieces and nephews, always ready with advice, encouragement, and love. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Bennie Padilla; her parents: Excelsa and Jo Marquez; her brother, Albert Marquez; and her sister, Ernestine Arguello; and her beloved pet PeeWee. A Rosary will be held at 1:30 PM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 PM on May 9, 2025, at Assumption Catholic Church in Roswell, NM. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery. Lorraine’s family wants to send a special thanks to Enhabit Hospice and Goodlife Senior Living Center.

Lorraine Padilla

January 17, 1937 - April 13, 2025