Hilda J Payan

on December 09, 2021. She was born in El Paso, Texas during the summer of 1929 to Francisco Jacquez and Ygnacia Quintana. Soon thereafter, she and her family relocated to Mexico, settling in the rural agricultural village of Santa Clara, Namiquipa, Chihuahua.

She was pre-deceased by her United States Army veteran husband, Pete M. Payan. She was also preceded in death by infant twin granddaughters, her parents, her brothers Osvaldo, Hector, Eustaquio, Manlio, Ezzio, and Jose A. Jacquez, and her sisters Luz Vega and Edna Ramos. Mrs. Payan was also pre-deceased by her son-in-law Jose A. Briones, several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, a niece, several nephews, and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Hilda Briones, and her children, Josh Briones and Gabriela Briones.

She is survived by her son, Rafael Payan and his wife, Beatrice, their daughter, Anna-Alicia, her husband Nicholas Veomett and their children, Grayson and Mila.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Alexandra (Ali) Payan, who will soon be Mrs. Connor Johnson.

She is survived by many wonderful friends, including Anita Gonzalez, Maria Olivas, and Louis Fournier.

Three sisters-in-law survive Mrs. Payan: Dora, Minerva, and Mary Jacquez, and over forty nieces and nephews and their children.

Hilda had a long and excellent life. Those who knew Hilda would lovingly describe her as “precious, sweet, feisty, independent, brilliant, tireless, eternally optimistic with a quick smile and heart-felt laugh, and always ready to help anyone in need.”

As a young girl, Hilda set out on her own and returned to the United States. Hilda would let anyone and everyone know that she was a proud American, Texan, and El Pasoan. She would joyfully exclaim, “Soy sola, libre, y en Tejas!” (“I am single, free, and in Texas!”).

Hilda excelled in her career as an elementary school teacher in small rural towns of Chihuahua, Mexico. She also rose through the ranks to become a reknowned trainer, supervisor, and quality control and risk manager at Billy the Kid – one of the United States’ top manufacturers of children’s clothing. Her love for this nation was further demonstrated when she served in several civilian roles at the United States Army’s Fort Bliss.

Hilda was humbly proud that she – as a single parent -- raised two productive, highly-educated adults after her husband’s passing away in 1973.

She attributed her long life to being positive and happy -- often encouraging and inspiring family, friends, and even strangers to overcome adversity as she would firmly but compassionately share a powerful two-word statement: “KEEP GOING!” She would also want you to know that daily use of sunscreen was her secret to beautiful skin. Further, Hilda’s secret to beautiful feet, even at 92, was being barefoot at home!

Our family would like to express gratitude to her doctors and medical teams, especially Dr. Nanda Gopalan and Dr. Juan Taveras, to the exemplary staff at Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans’ Home, the nurses at Providence Memorial Hospital, University Medical Center, Providence Infusion Center, Hospice El Paso, and to our dear friend, Maria Olivas.

Thank you, Mom, for teaching us to “KEEP GOING!”, sharing your love for nature and the outdoors, leading by example, and demonstrating how to treat people – especially those who are suffering -- with love, compassion, and dignity. You are already and shall always be missed!

Funeral Services

ZOOM: We hope that you can physically attend the services, but if you cannot, please join us via Zoom (invite will be forthcoming).

MASKS: Masks will be required for all participants physically attending services.

DATES and TIMES:

Services will be held as follow:

Evergreen East Funeral Home-Funeraria Del Angel

12000 Montana Ave. El Paso, Tx 79938

Monday, December 20, 2021

Visitation 5:00-6:00 PM

Memorial 6:00-7:00 PM

Rosary 7:00 PM

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Evergreen East Funeral Home-Funeraria Del Angel

Catholic Service 8:30 AM

Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Rd. El Paso, Tx

Committal, 10:30 AM