Beloved mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and godmother Emma Lujan (95 years old) peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home surrounded by family and reunited with her husband of 69 years, Santana Lujan, on May 23, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Emma Margaret (Benina) Velasquez was born on Aug. 6, 1929, in Durango, Colo., to Frank and Gregorita Velasquez, where she spent the first two years of her life.
From age 3 to age 9, Emma lived in Edith, Colo. She is the eldest sibling to Olivia, Sonny and Gilbert. Her father, Frank, was a math teacher and then joined the armed forces. Her then-single mother, Gregorita, and her siblings lived through many hardships while growing up. In spite of these many hardships, their faith and love for each other got them through everything.
At the age of 13, Emma’s family moved to Pagosa Springs, and three years later, in 1945, at the age of 16, she met her husband-to-be, Santana Lujan. They enjoyed going to dances and spending time with their friends. They had their first kiss under the “tree” in Edith and fell in love. They were married on Oct. 20, 1946, at St. Edward’s Church. Emma and Santana were married 69 years before Santana was called to heaven on June 16, 2016.
Emma and Santana were both deeply rooted in their community and contributed to it in meaningful ways. Emma worked for 27 years at Jackisch Drugstore and another seven years at the San Juan Sawmill. She was also a founding member of the Guadalupanas at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and was honored by the church in August 2024 as a pioneer of the church and for her many years of devoted service.
Emma and Santana helped launch the parish bingo nights, which ran for 25 years. The proceeds from bingo were used to make important repairs to both the parish hall and the church.
She was a devoted Catholic Christian who read her Bible, prayed the rosary daily and faithfully attended Mass every weekend. She was an avid Colorado sports fan who loved watching the Broncos, Rockies and Nuggets games.
Emma is beloved and deeply cherished by her family. She is survived by her siblings: Olivia (Henry) Trujillo, Sonny Martinez, and Gilbert Velasquez.
She is also survived by her son, Joe Lujan, and daughter-in-law, Dolores Atencio, and her daughters: Gloria Perez (Louie), Darlene Lujan (John), Marcella Sutton (Wynn) and Deanna Rader (Gary).
Emma’s legacy lives on through her loving family, including 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous godchildren.
The family would like to give a special thanks to all of Emma’s dedicated caregivers, which included her grandkids (Lynette, Joleen, Joshua, Shanley and Candida), Kris Ambrosich, Cornelia Martinez, the Hospice staff, and many thanks to her frequent visitors, Father Samuel Auta, Eddie Archuleta, Elisha Lucas, Josephine Mack Bozzelle, Carlos and Emily Martinez.
Emma’s kindness, generosity, and faith will be missed greatly by all who knew her.
The family would like to invite all who knew this special lady to attend the recitation of the rosary and her funeral to honor her life.
The rosary will be held on Sunday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on June 8, 2025, with the viewing from 4 to 5 p.m. and the rosary from 5 to 6 p.m.
The funeral Mass at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church and burial will be held on Monday, June 9, 2025. From 9 to 9:30 a.m. will be the viewing, with the eulogy from 9:30 to 10 a.m. At 10:15 a.m., there will be the Mass service followed by burial at Hilltop Cemetery. At 12:30 p.m., there will be a reception/luncheon at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church.
