Priscilla Grijalva

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Priscilla Oliver Grijalva on Monday, May 29, 2017, at home surrounded by family. She was born in Los Angeles, California on November 21, 1926, to Martin Oliver and Florentina Acosta Oliver. Priscilla was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years Miguel (Mike) Angel Grijalva in 2005. Also preceding her in death were her mother, Florentina Acosta Oliver, father Martin Oliver, brother in law Fred Lopez, nephew, Freddie junior, and half-brother Martin (Junior) Oliver. Priscilla is survived by her children; Michael (Mikie) Grijalva, Nancy Donahue and Gerard (Jerry), Gloria Segura and Ron, Lillian Grijalva and Bill Craig, David Grijalva and Rosie; her sister Lillian Lopez, her father's second wife Patricia Oliver, half-sister Norma, half-brother Jose Luis Oliver. She has 14 grandchildren Laura, Miguel, Christopher, Adam, Garrett, Meagan, Amanda, Ryan, Kevin, Davina, Danielle, Alicia, Iris, Venice; and 9 great grandchildren Lauren, Devin, Keith, Julien, Aliyah, Jordan, Peyton, Michael Angel, and Embry. Priscilla was born in Los Angeles, but shortly after the family relocated to Mesilla, New Mexico where she resided for many years and attended Mesilla Elementary and other local schools including Loretto Academy. During World War II the family returned to the Los Angeles area and she attended Garfield High School where she met her future husband. Again, returning to the Mesilla Valley, Priscilla attended New Mexico State University receiving a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics and later receiving a Master's degree. Priscilla opened the Expanded Nutrition Program in Dona Ana County. She also worked for the Peace Corp, 4-H, Head Start, taught Elementary School, and was an Educator/Trainer for multiple agencies and organizations. She had the opportunity to share her expertise for poor and disadvantaged individuals in the United States and Internationally. Priscilla was also a columnist for the local paper "The Bulletin" providing weekly advice, recipes, and folklore. Humbly, Priscilla accepted several awards in her lifetime for all her accomplishments and generous sharing of herself and knowledge. She was one of the first women to be named "Outstanding Woman of New Mexico". She was honored by the Sam Steel Society from NMSU College of Agriculture. These are just a couple of her awarded accomplishments. In addition, Priscilla was a member of the Catholic Daughters, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Pan American Round Table and many others. Priscilla was a devoted Roman Catholic attending several local churches. She was one of the original members and participants of the Los Pastores of the Mesilla Valley. A visitation will be held from 5:30-7:00 pm, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7:00 pm, Sunday, June 4th at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 East Bowman Ave. The memorial mass will be held at St. Albert Newman Center 2615 S. Solano Drive on Monday, June 5th at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Mesilla Valley Hospice 299 Montana Ave. Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005. PDF Printable Version Service Information
Monday, June 5, 2017 10:00am,
St. Albert Newman Center

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Interment Location

Masonic Cemetery

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