Arturo Sierra Passes Away at 60
Although I never actually created a web page for my Uncle, I wanted to at least get some links put up for those whom maybe curious.
An obituary was published in The Dispatch and Argus. Click here for a link to it online
Here is a copy of the e-mails:
Dear family: I don't know how to post this on the family web-site, so I am doing it the old fashioned way....hitting the "reply all" icon. For those that don't know, Arturo died on Wednesday, November 5th at about 12:50 PM. Art received the last rites from their parish priest. Mary, Buggs, Caroline and Bill were at his bedside, along with Arturo's kids (Simon and Carmen Luz), their mother Teresa, Arturo's wife, Leslie, G.G., Sue, Stephanie and a couple of very dear friends of Art. I heard the family was in the midst of a rosary in Spanish when Arturo took his last breath.
Thank God Aunt Teresa had the strength to join us in Albuquerque! Lupita, T.T., Son and Rosie arrived late Wednesday, and we started the family rosary and novena on Thursday evening. It means more than words can say to have had so much family around us. Teresa's brother, Larry, and his son, Ruben, flew in from San Diego Thursday night. Their sister Emma also joined us for a couple of the events. Tom and Vicky arrived on Friday night, in time for a big ceremony that took place on Saturday afternoon, on Atruro and Leslie's land.
As many of you know, Arturo had embraced the Sundance tradition for about the last 12-13 years. So, when he died, we sibs didn't really know what to expect. According to his wishes, Arturo was cremated. Arturo's ashes are with Simon at the moment. They will be buried with mom and dad's coffins at St. Mary's Cemetery in East Moline.
There were 3-4 days of ceremonies following the Sundance tradition. They included a couple of sweat lodges, a pipe ceremony for his community, (family did not attend. Instead we gathered to say the rosary.) and the big ceremony on Saturday. There were probably close to 100 people. That ceremony included about 12-15 people paying tribute to Arturo. It was a tremendous gift to hear from so many young men and women about the role Arturo had played in helping them succeed in college. There were several who mentioned how Art would kick their butt and challenged them to be their best, and then offer a shoulder to cry on when that was what they needed. Some of Arturo's colleagues praised his creativity and willingness to challenge the administration on behalf of a student or one of his staff. I was proud to hear who my brother had become in his work and in his life; the ceremony was beautiful.
But, yes. We are planning to have a memorial mass and get together back in Illinois. We're just not sure when. We would all like to be able to be there, especially Art's kids. Right now we are thinking that the memorial will be around the Christmas holidays. I promise we will let the family know as soon as we pin a date down.
Mariana, Sema (her partner) and I arrived back in Oakland on Wednesday afternoon, after an 18 hour drive from Albuquerque. I "checked-out" from life, crying my heart out and sleeping when crying left me exhausted. I finally got on-line this morning, and found several notes from about a dozen cousins. I'm sorry we didn't think to send out an email blast when Arturo died.
We will be placing an obituary in the Q-C Times soon...once we pin down the date for the memorial. Please forgive our sloppy handling of all of this. I, for one, am still in shock. I don't want to believe my brother is dead. I just can't imagine my life without him. It hurts too much.
Again, thanks for all of your love and support. Below are a couple of addresses in case you feel like sending a card. I'm sure the kids would appreciate knowing their dad was loved.
Arturo and his wife Leslie lived at:
8 Patrick Lane,
Peralta, NM 87042
Simon and Carmen Luz Sierra live with their mom at:
6500 Lamy Street
Albuquerque, NM 87120
Be well and keep us in your prayers. I still need to get to the acceptance phase of grieving, and it may take me a while.
lots of love, rachel
An obituary was published in The Dispatch and Argus. Click here for a link to it online
Here is a copy of the e-mails:
Dear family: I don't know how to post this on the family web-site, so I am doing it the old fashioned way....hitting the "reply all" icon. For those that don't know, Arturo died on Wednesday, November 5th at about 12:50 PM. Art received the last rites from their parish priest. Mary, Buggs, Caroline and Bill were at his bedside, along with Arturo's kids (Simon and Carmen Luz), their mother Teresa, Arturo's wife, Leslie, G.G., Sue, Stephanie and a couple of very dear friends of Art. I heard the family was in the midst of a rosary in Spanish when Arturo took his last breath.
Thank God Aunt Teresa had the strength to join us in Albuquerque! Lupita, T.T., Son and Rosie arrived late Wednesday, and we started the family rosary and novena on Thursday evening. It means more than words can say to have had so much family around us. Teresa's brother, Larry, and his son, Ruben, flew in from San Diego Thursday night. Their sister Emma also joined us for a couple of the events. Tom and Vicky arrived on Friday night, in time for a big ceremony that took place on Saturday afternoon, on Atruro and Leslie's land.
As many of you know, Arturo had embraced the Sundance tradition for about the last 12-13 years. So, when he died, we sibs didn't really know what to expect. According to his wishes, Arturo was cremated. Arturo's ashes are with Simon at the moment. They will be buried with mom and dad's coffins at St. Mary's Cemetery in East Moline.
There were 3-4 days of ceremonies following the Sundance tradition. They included a couple of sweat lodges, a pipe ceremony for his community, (family did not attend. Instead we gathered to say the rosary.) and the big ceremony on Saturday. There were probably close to 100 people. That ceremony included about 12-15 people paying tribute to Arturo. It was a tremendous gift to hear from so many young men and women about the role Arturo had played in helping them succeed in college. There were several who mentioned how Art would kick their butt and challenged them to be their best, and then offer a shoulder to cry on when that was what they needed. Some of Arturo's colleagues praised his creativity and willingness to challenge the administration on behalf of a student or one of his staff. I was proud to hear who my brother had become in his work and in his life; the ceremony was beautiful.
But, yes. We are planning to have a memorial mass and get together back in Illinois. We're just not sure when. We would all like to be able to be there, especially Art's kids. Right now we are thinking that the memorial will be around the Christmas holidays. I promise we will let the family know as soon as we pin a date down.
Mariana, Sema (her partner) and I arrived back in Oakland on Wednesday afternoon, after an 18 hour drive from Albuquerque. I "checked-out" from life, crying my heart out and sleeping when crying left me exhausted. I finally got on-line this morning, and found several notes from about a dozen cousins. I'm sorry we didn't think to send out an email blast when Arturo died.
We will be placing an obituary in the Q-C Times soon...once we pin down the date for the memorial. Please forgive our sloppy handling of all of this. I, for one, am still in shock. I don't want to believe my brother is dead. I just can't imagine my life without him. It hurts too much.
Again, thanks for all of your love and support. Below are a couple of addresses in case you feel like sending a card. I'm sure the kids would appreciate knowing their dad was loved.
Arturo and his wife Leslie lived at:
8 Patrick Lane,
Peralta, NM 87042
Simon and Carmen Luz Sierra live with their mom at:
6500 Lamy Street
Albuquerque, NM 87120
Be well and keep us in your prayers. I still need to get to the acceptance phase of grieving, and it may take me a while.
lots of love, rachel
Labels: Arturo Sierra, Events, people, photos
posted by Eddie Sierra at
1:29 PM
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