Who Was This Amazing Woman

This is the woman who lived with one goal: to sacrifice self for the best interest of her family. This woman lost her mother at a very young age and lived, endured, and survived abuse. She lived the years of her life as a victim of that abuse but through all that accomplished great things for her family. She married the man that promised her an escape from all the abuse, which indeed he accomplished and together they raised 5 daughters, as best as per the instruction manual written for each daughter. Through time she made mistakes, but she did the best she knew how and until the end she wanted the best for each of her daughters. I am proud to call this woman, TRINIDAD FRANCO De LERMA, my mother.

It is with deep sadness and heartbroken, to announce the passing of our mother, on Monday, March 17, 2025, mother passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving daughters, and entered our Father Jesus Christ's heavenly home.

Our mother was born July 11, 1938, in La Boquilla de Conchos, Julimes, Chihuahua Mexico to Pedro Franco and Hermelinda Orrantia. She was the 6th sibling of seven children: Rufina, Carlos, Hermelinda, Felipe, Reynaldo, Elsa, and Pedrito. She was the last surviving of the seven, may they all rest in eternal peace and perpetual light shine upon them.

Mother married our father, Martin Lerma on November 2, 1957, at La Parroquia del Refugio in Villa Aldama, Chihuahua, Mexico. On October 15, 1964, mother and 5 daughters moved to join our father and begin a new life in the United States of America in the small town of Brazito, New Mexico. While my father worked as a farm laborer my mother begin to dream of ways to better our life here in this country, where she would not let any barrier stop her. Though she had attended a College for Women in Chihuahua Mexico, where on June 25, 1957, she earned a Commercial Secretary degree and was a certified Bookkeeper, her not speaking any English would lead her in a different path.

She had no driving skills but took the family car and my oldest sister as a pretext that she was taking her to the bus stop, but quite did not make it as she missed a turn and drove into an acequia. She walked to a nearby house, borrowed the phone to call my father's boss, to notify my father of the mishap. My father's boss went out to the fields where my father was tilling the soil and said, "you have a determined woman, you better teach her to drive,'' which my father reluctantly did. There was no stopping her once she had that driver's license in her hands. Which I must mentioned, when her vision became impaired and she was denied a license at the Las Cruces Motor Vehicle Department, she went to Sunland Park Motor Vehicle Department and almost got it but unfortunately for her the clerk noticed that she had been flagged as not able to drive due to limited vision. Did she give up? Nope, she went to Hatch Motor Vehicle Department and fortunately for the rest of us walked out with only an ID.

Mother's first job as a Room Attendant was at the Mission Inn cleaning rooms, because she earned a good reputation as a hard worker, high quality cleaning and willing to work all the extra hours if needed, she was hired at the Ramada Inn. She quickly earned the respect of the Housekeeper Manager and was promoted to Linen Room operations. She always kept her eye open for better opportunities, she learned of an opening at American Linen Supply and soon she was on her way to a better job. While attending night school English classes she learned of a job opening from one of her classmates, for a daytime packaging position at L'eggs Products Inc., yes, she soon found herself packing panty hose in an egg at the L'eggs plant. Her work ethics, her quality of work, and her devotion to her job, landed her a promotion to a Quality Inspector. She dedicated the best of her years, 22 to be exact to Sara Lee Hosiery formerly known as L'eggs plant.

It was during all these times that she put money away, money to build the family home and never have a mortgage, money so she would never be in a financial burden to anyone and in the end leave a little something for her daughters and grandchildren. In the home in which we all grew-up there were good and bad memories but looking back we had too many good memories to dwell on the bad, especially our Thanksgivings and Christmases which were full of laughter and joy.

This Woman was the force in our family. Her strength, courage, confidence, determination, perseverance, passion, and her unique personality which drove her to never be afraid to take a stand, even when she had to do it all alone, were things I admire. I thank God for all her sacrifices and for always doing what she saw was in the best interest for our family.

Mother was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and her loving husband, Martin J. Lerma of almost 50 years. She is survived by her daughters, and their spouses: Patricia Garibay (Robert), Alma Griffith (Jeff), Rosa Chavez (Greg), Hilda Lerma (Peter Contreras), and Lety Phetteplace (George); her grandchildren, Araceli Banks (Mathias), Arabella Hernandez, Alex Salcido (Dominic), Anthony McKinnis, Dominique Chavez, Chris Griffith (Crystal), Elizabeth Griffith (Tyler Read), Monique Contreras (Carlos Peraza), Peter Contreras III, Jacob Phetteplace (Evelyn), Michael Phetteplace, Mia Phetteplace and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, her close cousin, Hermina Romero and her beloved dog, Paquito.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 9:30 AM Friday, April 4, 2025, at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 1240 S. Espina Street with the Funeral Mass to be celebrated immediately thereafter with The Reverend Alejandro Reyes, Celebrant. Entombment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, 5140 W. Picacho Avenue.

Serving as casket bearers will be Anthony McKinnis Sr., Peter Contreras III, Chris Griffith, Miguel Phetteplace, Anthony McKinnis Jr., and Ayden Hernandez. Honorary bearers are Robert Garibay, Jeff Griffith, Greg Chavez, Peter Contreras Jr., George Phetteplace, Gerardo Lerma, Jacob Phetteplace, Angelo McKinnis, Judah Banks.

I and my sisters want to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to all who assisted us in helping our mother remain in her home until her last breath: Monique Contreras, Anthony McKinnis, Jeff Griffith, Rebeca Hernandez, Patricia Olivas, Mesilla Valley Hospice and all their caring team members, Father Alejandro Reyes, and Elisa Archuleta for coming to visit and bringing communion to her.

This woman, my mother, I thank for her inspiration that made me who I am today. This woman, I will miss greatly. I thank God for giving me the courage, strength, and perseverance to be there for her until her final day.

Rest in peace my mother. This is not a goodbye; it is until I see you again in heaven.

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