Mrs. Stella M Trujillo

Stella Margaret Trujillo, surrounded by her beloved family, went home to our Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Born Stella Martinez on May 26, 1924, in Wagon Mound, N.M., to Carlos S. Martinez and Irene (Gomez) Martinez, Stella spent her early days on the family ranch with her sister Aurora. Losing her mother Irene at a very early age, Stella and her sister went to live with their paternal grandparents Pablo and Adelina Martinez in the little town of Wagon Mound, where Stella graduated from high school. When Stella was 18, she moved to California to be with her sister. In 1942, she met the love of her life, Manuel Albert Trujillo, and on Nov. 30, 1943, they were married in Yuma, Ariz., prior to Albert being deployed to the Army. While Albert was overseas, Stella gave birth to the first of their three children, a daughter whom she named after her mother, Irene. When Albert returned from the war, he immediately moved Stella and Irene to his home, Prescott, Ariz., and they began raising their family. Stella and Albert had two more children, sons Frank and J.C., and set down roots by joining the Hillside Church of God in 1946, to which Stella belonged until her death. It was here that Stella made many lifelong friends and cultivated the strong ties that lasted all her life and shaped her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was also during this time that Stella reconnected with her half-sister Maria and half-brother Charles, whom she had not known while growing up. Although Charles passed at a very early age, Stella and Maria became close sisters and enjoyed each other's company, traveled together and shared many precious moments. From early on, the Trujillo family was active in the rural lifestyle that Prescott had to offer. Stella doted on her family and she and Albert spent innumerable hours taking their children and countless kids from church and school to junior rodeos, hunting, camping and exploring all that Prescott had to offer. To so many, Stella was a second mom. In between all the activities, Stella went to work as a nurse's aide at the Pioneers Home, where she worked until her retirement in 1986. After retirement, Stella's priority was taking care of her grandchildren, showing them the same love and guidance that she had shown her children growing up. Stella and Albert would make time for each one of them, even traveling to Pyramid, Colo., in the cold fall months to watch J.C.'s daughters during hunting season. Stella also joined the Fraternal Order of Moose in Prescott. It was here that she obtained the high honor of Senior Regent and where she and Albert joined a group of close friends who traveled to Kino Bay, Mexico, every winter. It was not long before Stella and Albert fell in love with Kino, bought property and built their "winter home." Stella and Albert would travel to Kino Bay every winter until she could no longer drive. In March of 2013, Stella and Albert moved into Peridot Assisted Living, and it was here she and Albert lived until her passing. Stella will always be remembered for her strong faith in the Lord, her wonderful smile, her great cooking including her green chili and tamale feasts during the 4th of July celebrations, and her open heart and hospitality that she showed to so many friends and relatives. Stella is survived by her husband of 70 years, Albert; daughter Irene Trujillo Jenkins; son and daughter-in-law Frank and Anie (Wayman) Trujillo; son and daughter-in-law J.C. and Margo (Growney) Trujillo; sister Maria Moore; niece Margaret Ann (Craig) Migasi; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother Irene Gomez; father Carlos Martinez; brother Charles Martinez; sister Aurora Buork; and many of her dear cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. There will be a Celebration of Stella's life Friday, April 18, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Hillside Community Church of God, 937 Ruth St., Prescott, Ariz. with graveside service to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Donations to the Church of God, Ruth Street Parish, Maggie's Hospice, 8056 E. Valley Road, Suite A1, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 or flowers are welcome.

Mrs. Stella M Trujillo

May 26, 1924 - April 12, 2014