Antonia Vasquez Aguilar

Antonia “Toni” V. Aguilar, 78, of Artesia, NM was called home Tuesday, October 31, 2023, in Carlsbad, NM. 

Visitation is scheduled from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday, November 12, 2023, at Denton Wood Funeral Home in Carlsbad, NM.  A Graveside Service is scheduled for 11:00 AM Monday, November 13, 2023, at Woodbine Cemetery in Artesia, NM, with Deacon Bobby Garcia officiating.

Toni was born June 13, 1945, in Loving, NM and grew up on Maple Street in Carlsbad, NM. Toni graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1964, and while still single she worked at Gibson’s in Carlsbad, which afforded her to save money for her very first car. Toni met her husband of nearly 50 years when they stood as groomsman and bridesmaid in the wedding party of their dear friends. It was love at first sight for her husband, but it took a little more convincing for Toni – they were high school rivals after all! Toni a Carlsbad Caveman and Joe an Artesia Bulldog, but they soon married in 1967 and immediately started a family. Toni was always an independent person but wanted to stay home to raise her family. Toni was very involved in her children’s upbringing and always supported their interests by becoming a cub scout leader, brownie/girl scout leader, substitute teacher, PTA member, chauffeur to and from practices, attending games, sewing costumes, and packing countless lunches. But once her children were old enough, she re-entered the work force. Toni may not have shared her husband’s enthusiasm for politics, but their beliefs were in sync when it came to the value of education. Toni was a teacher’s aide for the Artesia Public School System for over 20 years. She even returned to school where she earned an associate degree in arts and sciences from ENMU – Roswell.

Over the years Toni and her husband along with their three children loved taking family vacations to the great outdoors. So when Toni lost her husband and best friend in 2016, her and her children resumed their annual family vacations to the mountains in remembrance of Joe. This reminded Toni of their time as a young family traveling in their 1970s woody station wagon. In most recent years, she loved spending her time volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank and often shared how much purpose it gave her. She appreciated her fellow volunteers and the sense of community it provided her. Toni enjoyed her hobbies, but crafting was by far her favorite. Toni was very talented and loved the holidays and it showed through all the beautiful wreaths and crafts she made for her family and friends. If you ever visited Toni in her home, you were sure to find some of her most recent arts and crafts on display. The only other part of Toni’s life that she enjoyed more than craft stores and YouTube DIY videos, was her family. That has held true all her life, Toni’s family was always her biggest love and they brought her such happiness, especially her granddaughters. Toni was a humble human but when it came to Gabby & Mia, she beamed of pride when sharing stories and pictures of them. Another big part of her heart was for the two boys, now young men, that Toni and her husband looked after from time to time, Dale and Axel. Throughout her life she also had special and treasured relationships with her nieces. Toni and her husband loved them all so very much and always cherished the fond memories of their adventures. Despite all the pleading from her children to move to Albuquerque to be with them, Toni remained in Artesia after her husband’s passing. Her desire was always to remain in the home she shared with her husband. She had amazing friends and neighbors that checked in on her regularly, but her partner in crime was her closest friend, Ramona.

Toni is preceded in death, by her grandparents, George & Wuenserlada Vasquez; mother, Elfida Vasquez Munoz; husband, Jose Luis Aguilar; brothers, Joe Vasquez, George Vasquez, Armando Vasquez; sisters, Emma Navarrette, Elva Ramirez, Elia Castaneda; half-brothers, Ricky Munoz, Ernesto Munoz.

Survivors include her sons, Ricardo Luis Aguilar and wife Shannon, Fermin Edwardo Aguilar; daughter, Anna Maria Aguilar; grandchildren, Gabrielle Marie Aguilar, Mia Nicole Aguilar; sisters, Vickie Carrasco, Minnie Martinez; half-sisters, Vita Pina, Eloise Munoz; half-brother, Eloy Munoz and many loving nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family

Pallbearers: Ricardo Aguilar, Fermin Aguilar, Manuel Moreno, Tom Navarrette, Orlando Navarrette and Ricky Garcia; honorary pallbearers, Manuel Barragan, Dale Hartley and Axel Hartley.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank of Artesia, 603 S. Roselawn Avenue, Artesia, NM 88210.