Laura Grace Vigil Caffey

Laura Grace Vigil Caffey

(August 19, 1936 – December 30, 2024)

Laura Grace Vigil Caffey of Albuquerque was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on December 30, 2024.

Laura was born on August 19, 1936, in Rio del Oso, New Mexico, grew up in Espanola, and lived a long and fruitful life in Albuquerque. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics from New Mexico State University (NMSU), in Las Cruces, NM and furthered her education by earning her Master of Arts degree in Home Economics from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO. She was an active member of the Delta Zeta sorority on the NMSU campus. While in college, she had the opportunity to live in Uruguay through the International Foreign Youth Exchange (IFYE) program.

She was the beloved wife of 60 years to Thurlow Washburn Howell Caffey. Together, they raised three beautiful children. She was a passionate advocate for youth development, serving as an ardent supporter of the 4-H program in Bernalillo County. Additionally, she was an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Annunciation Catholic Church Women’s Guild. In her later years, she dedicated her time and expertise to the Master Gardener program in the Albuquerque area, enriching the community through her vast knowledge of horticulture. She was strong in her Catholic faith and was active in her church life. She loved spending time with her family, restoring antique furniture, traveling to far off lands and meeting new people, and was a lifelong learner. People gravitated to her loving nature and infectious smile.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Augustin and Bernardita Vigil, as well as her six siblings: Eduardo, Vera (Karcher), Alex, Willie, Fred, Arsenio and Lupe. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Thurlow, her son, Dominic, her two daughters, Francine and Catherine (Pittman), and two grandsons, Joshua Caffey and Brennan Pittman. She also leaves many cherished in-laws, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A recitation of the Holy Rosary will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 12500 Carmel Ave., NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87122, led by Father Mike Shea with the Funeral Mass to follow. Funeral Mass will also be streamed at https://popabq.org/prince-of-peace-live-masses for those who cannot attend in person.

The Rite of Committal and Inurnment will immediately follow the Mass at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 7999 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109. The Caffey family would like to extend an invitation for those who attend to join them in the Prince of Peace Community Center Hall in remembrance and celebration of Laura following the Rite of Committal and Inurnment.