Barbara Perez

“Dido"

April 12, 1944 — November 20, 2020

Barbara Perez, passed peacefully on Friday, November 20, 2020 after a fierce battle with Covid-19. She was cared for by the benevolent staff at Sierra Providence Memorial Hospital and surrounded by the infinite love of her family and friends. She was born in Roswell, New Mexico to Johnny and Julia Otero on April 12, 1944, a birthday she shared with her mother. She had four siblings, Marty, Rudy, Freda, and Mario, and a very large extended family with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She spent many of her younger days in Roswell and the Hondo Valley, running through the families’ vast apple orchards, splashing in the rivers and streams, and making cherished memories with her siblings and cousins.

After the birth of her son Gregory, she made her way to El Paso where she started her career as an Insurance Adjuster and was the first woman to be licensed in the state of Texas. From there, she went on to work for Dickshire Distributing Company as their first female Marketing Director. That was just the beginning of many ‘firsts’ in her life, and she went on to accomplish some amazing things. She was incredibly motivated and passionate, and it went far beyond her career. Without a doubt, her greatest passion was her husband Paul, who she married in 1984 and loved so very dearly. She welcomed his two daughters, Amy and Annie, with open arms and raised them as her own. Barbara and Paul had many adventures together in their 36 years and never left each other's side. Growing up, her family always instilled in her the importance of having faith in God and serving others. Barbara had a personal drive and lifelong interest in helping people. She spent the majority of her life as a public servant, serving the people of El Paso—the city that she loved, in various roles. She co-founded the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was elected as the first woman Vice Chairman. She received honorable mentions for her efforts supporting small Hispanic owned businesses. She was elected as an El Paso City Council Representative for three consecutive terms, where she fought for the development of the city's infrastructure, small businesses, fair wages, and women’s integrity. She went on to be an El Paso County Commissioner, and a Socorro Independent School Board Trustee. In all these roles, she was dedicated to educating El Paso’s youth on the effects of drugs and gang violence—combatting these issues was a true mission of hers. She then had a three-year stint as a radio talk show host, with a show called “Talk of the Town” where she would discuss politics in a live call-in format. Barbara has always been well known for her fiery and passionate personality; she confidently spoke her mind and always listened respectfully, which made her the perfect host. After her time in radio, she was elected as a Justice of the Peace where she served a 4-year term. One of her favorite duties as Judge was to officiate weddings which she did long after her term ended. She received numerous awards and honors through the years, including the much coveted ‘El Paso Conquistador Award’ for her commitment to the region through her work. She was inducted into the Fort Bliss Women’s Hall of Fame and received Honorable Mentions from the El Paso Women’s Hall of Fame, and that’s just to name a few. She was a strong female role model and has paved the way for many women that have come after her. Amongst her many accolades, she considered her three children and four grandchildren her most significant accomplishments.Some of our fondest family memories were made while supporting her out on the campaign trail. She had an ice cream truck that she converted into a campaign-mobile that we’d drive up and down the streets of El Paso, her name was stretched in decals across the sides while the horn blasted ‘la cucaracha'. Paul was responsible for making her campaign signs and distributing them around town. ALL of us, at one time or another has stood in a busy street median parading around, waving, smiling, and screaming her name. She was full of determination and we were proud to be right there with her. Beyond her career, Barbara explored many hobbies. In her “free time” she’s been known to get crafty making holiday wreaths, painting woodwork, gardening, and cooking. She admittedly was better at some than others, but she always gave it her best effort. She had a love for gardening that grew from her mother Julia and her brother Rudy. Her garden was filled with roses, hibiscus, and vegetables and she loved to share daily photos of the latest buds. She was in stiff competition with Rudy for growing the largest veggies and the hottest chilis. She sometimes loved to cook and bake, but she was best known for having a mean red chili posole that she cooked every Christmas morning. Pretty sure it was her way of gathering us all together around the table—and we loved it. Barbara grew up with a very musically inclined family and had a great appreciation for music and loved everything from Linda Ronstadt to Bruno Mars, but she especially loved the music of her very talented little brother, Mario. She really cherished all of her siblings, Marty, Rudy, Freda, and Mario, and had a special place in her heart for them. She loved the regular spirited banter with her brothers, and the daily late-night chats with her sister Freda, she also had close bonds with many of their children, her nieces and nephews—she had so much love and adoration for them all. Barbara was known by many for being strong, bold, tenacious, and thick-skinned, but also for having the biggest heart. We knew her for her great compassion, understanding, enduring love, and intense devotion to her family—truly her pride and joy. She jumped at every opportunity to brag on each and every one of us. Even with all our imperfections, she brought out the best in us and most importantly loved us unconditionally. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

She is survived by her loving husband Paul Perez or as she called him “The Hub", their three children and their spouses; Greg Sandoval, Amy and Jason Irby, and Annie and Chris Mayfield; her grandchildren Ashlie Sandoval, Layton Irby, Mattie Irby, and Grayson Mayfield; her cherished siblings and their families, Marty and Beverly Otero, Rudy and Beverly Otero, Freda and Fernando Salcido, Mario and Hortencia Otero; her loving in-laws Julia Perez, Terry Perez, and Jimmy Perez; all of her beloved nieces and nephews, and extended family in Roswell. She is preceded in death by her loving parents Johnny and Julia Otero, her father-in-law Paul Perez, her nephew Joseph Salcido, and many other cherished ancestors. Barbara passed on the anniversary of her Grandpo Martin’s death—she’s in heaven now with her beloved parents and ancestors. In her honor, her family and friends are hosting this private virtual memorial. Barbara impacted so many people in her lifetime, and we would love to hear your stories and see your pictures—please feel free to add them to this memorial. Thank you for all the love and support you have bestowed upon us and Barbara, we are blessed beyond belief. While she is no longer here with us, we’re comforted in knowing that her presence is everywhere.

— The Perez Family