Rosemary Soto Cabrera

Rosemary Soto Cabrera was a beautiful lady, not only in her features, but more importantly in her character. Rosemary was the first of six children born to Jesus Delgado Soto and Corina Lucero Soto on December 7, 1926. It is with a heavy heart that we surrendered Rosemary back to her Creator on the late night of October 11, 2023—only two months short of her 97th birthday.

Her daughter, Blanca, and two grandchildren, Jacqueline and David, were accompanied by Father George Szal of Mesilla Valley Hospice in praying for and with Rosemary at her bedside, during the late morning hours of October 11th. It was at that time that they each expressed their gratitude for everything Rosemary had done throughout her lifetime. After Rosemary’s passing, Blanca and David prayed, surrendering Rosemary back to the Lord, while giving thanks for the blessing of such a devoted mother and grandmother.

Rosemary Cabrera lead a very full and interesting life, and she was most definitely a woman ahead of her time. Even as a youth, she was very self-disciplined and had a good work ethic. As a young lady, she married Anastacio “Andy” Cardon Cabrera. Together they had five children. Being the realist that she was, after several years of marriage, Rosemary petitioned the courts for a divorce to ensure her children were raised in a strife free environment. Rosemary was determined to financially support her children regardless of her marital status. Rosemary Cabrera was a very strong and determined woman, and set goals for herself that were often deemed unrealistic for a woman back then—like becoming an entrepreneur.

Rosemary held true to herself and her goals, she became a single head of household and did right by her children. She was determined that her children learn from example to not settle for a situation that would create unhappiness or despair. Rosemary, in her determination to do right by her children, would work two or three jobs to ensure her children never went without. She wisely saved money and purchased the Arcade Coffee Shop, which was situated downtown in the area known as Day’s Hamburgers in the downtown mall. Even after the death of her oldest son, in Vietnam, she kept it together and was a pillar of strength for her surviving children.

After Rosemary opted to sell her thriving business, she continued to work. She always felt that work was something she enjoyed, and it showed as she always would greet others with a smile. Rosemary later went on to work for AAFES at WSMR, and after 15-20 years of service, she retired. Rosemary didn’t like being at home, and she wasn’t one to go to social settings to pass the time. So she went to work for Monsimer’s Bakery, part time, and went to work for Mr. Hiebert at Hiebert’s Restaurant. Between both those jobs, Rosemary perfected recipes for homemade bread, steak fingers, and various pastries. That was a perk her parents, siblings, and children enjoyed. Rosemary ended her career as a hostess at McDonald’s on El Paseo for 10 years and retired in January 2013.

Rosemary’s legacy was one of loyalty, kindness, charity, education, a great work ethic, and never accepting someone’s trying to limit her abilities. She was a strong yet tender lady, who always was a rock from which her entire family could draw strength or comfort. Rosemary excelled at being a good and empathetic listener, whom only offered advice if asked for it. She always offered sound and thoughtful advice without judgment. She loved her parents and her siblings immensely. Rosemary saw her children as rewards and gifts from the Almighty, to be aimed in direction with purpose, shooting for the stars while grounded in faith ultimately teaching her children that all things were possible through education, hard work, and faith. She instilled values taught to her as a child to her own children, to ensure they grew up having faith in God and in themselves. Rosemary taught her children to be people of their word and to be self-sufficient, but more importantly to look at others tenderly considering not knowing what hardships they might be enduring. This ensured treating others with kindness.

Rosemary was preceded in death by: her parents, Jesus & Corina Soto; her infant daughter, Maria; her son, Andy A. Cabrera (19, Vietnam); her daughter, Evangeline Cabrera Lujan (66); her son, James Raymond Cabrera (66), and her grandson, Steven Joseph Valencia (18). She was also preceded in death by her brother, Filomeno “Phil” Soto, and her sisters: Elizabeth “Bessie” Murillo, Erminia “Minnie” Soto, and Margarita “Maggie” Villanueva.

Rosemary is survived by: her sister, Josephine “Josie” Jemente; her youngest daughter, Blanca Marie Cabrera; her daughter-in-law, Viann Cabrera; her sons-in-law whom she loved as her own, Eliseo Lujan and Steven L. Valencia; her grandchildren: Jacqueline Suzanne Valencia, David Nathaniel Valencia, Melissa Scott (Jeff Scott), Benjamin Hernandez, Lee Smith (Shannon Toledo), and Monique Martinez (Adrian Martinez); her great-grandchildren: Gage Sloan Valencia, Aaron Snyder, Shanize Reynaud, the Martinez great-grandchildren: Xavier, Zakary, Leilani, and Kaleb; and the Hernandez great-grandchildren: Aric, Alexandra, Isaiah, and Giselle. Rosemary is also survived by many nieces and nephews, whom she loved and prayed for daily.

On behalf of the family of Rosemary Cabrera, we’d like to offer our sincerest thanks to the professional staff at Calibre Post Acute and at Mesilla Valley Hospice, to all the doctor’s, nurse practitioners, nurses, nursing assistants, and the friends she made there. We’d especially like to thank her Calibre Guardian Angel, Mrs. Donna Weeldreyer, and Father George Szal of Mesilla Valley Hospice for treating our family member with the dignity and respect she deserved and for doing it so lovingly!

At Rosemary’s request, cremation will take place, with a service to be held prior to her interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The service will be private in nature for family and very close friends of the family.

A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 10:00am in the Getz Funeral Home Chapel with Interment to follow.