HELOISE BRIGHAM WILSON was born on July 7, 1937, in Wewoka, Oklahoma to Roy and Besmilr Brigham. She left this earth to seek out new adventures on February 23, 2025, in Las Cruces, NM.

Heloise was a firecracker of a person. She was a free spirit, adventurous and fun--she had a chronic case of FOMO (fear of missing out). During her childhood she traveled and camped with her parents throughout Mexico and Central America.  When she was not traveling, she lived in Horatio, Arkansas with her maternal grandparents, Sweet Mama and Sweet Daddy, as she called them. When she was 17, her parents left her in NYC to attend Hunter College and work as a type setter for the NY Times. The silverware etched with the NY Times later became our family's "fine settings for special occasions." Her best friend in NYC was a ballerina with the Metropolitan Ballet Company, which allowed Heloise to meet famous people, like Steve McQueen--who she said was gorgeous! She transferred UNM in Albuquerque, NM where she met our father, Keith Wilson who would become a well-known New Mexican poet. It seemed to be fate as Heloise's mother, Besmilr Brigham, was an accomplished southern poet.  Together they had 4 children and 8 grandchildren (Kathy, Walt, Diana, Daniel Fox; Kristin, Ryne, Spencer, Marco Palombit; Kevin, Dana, Jeremiah and Tray, Kendra, Kayla Wilson; Kerrin Wilson, James, and Ariana Nance). Together they traveled the world and experienced many adventures, like taking all of us to live in Romania for a year, camping across Europe in a VW van for two summers, traveling around the world. Mom was always ready for an adventure! She travelled to the jungles of Sumatra and lived in a tent in the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
When she was not traveling, she was active in our community.  Whether it was volunteering during the 1960's as a social worker, participating in civil rights marches, helping others was her great joy. She earned her Master's degree in ESL and taught English at Santa Theresa Elementary School. She loved working with both her children and their families.

My parents had an open door of their home to all our friends, young and old. Mom hosted innumerable parties for poets and artists. These parties were never fancy, but everyone certainly enjoyed themselves.  Our mother always supported our father's career and was an avid listener and editor. After Dad passed, we discovered what a beautiful writer she was!

Mom loved life and man did she love her family and friends. She taught us how to live with purpose, love with our whole hearts and die with dignity.  Thank you, mom for always being there for us all. We always love and miss you.

Heloise was preceded on death by her parents, her loving husband, Keith, her grandson, Daniel Fox, whom we all love dearly and many, many cherished friends.

A special thanks to Maria Valadez, family, and staff at Sunny's Living for taking such good care of our mother.  We would also like to thank Dr. Ann Mercer, for her years of caring for both our parents and thank you for to the Mesilla Valley Hospice staff for their care.

A celebration of her wonderful, loving life will be held at a later date.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com