The late lifetime educator earned her bachelor'sand masters degreesin mathematics education from New Mexico State University, according to a news release from the Las Cruces school district. The two dogs Trujillo was walking at the time were seriously injured in the accident and were transported to a local veterinarians office, the Las Cruces Police Department reported. But Trujillos tenure as the states top education official was short lived. The family of Ethan Sockwell has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. Dec. 6, 2020:Sylvia Garcia was a gift to all. A mother of three, Karen Trujillo was a teacher, principal, and administrator at NMSU before becoming a government official. Las Cruces. When Trujillo was just starting out as a teacher, her mother, Bernadette Apodaca who taught at Mayfield High School for nearly 20 years gave her a binder full of quotes. Who Am I by Julie Hopper, illus. We have set up the following schedule to allow for the shortest lines and safest environment. Funeral homes; Help and advice. For instance, in January, the district was working with a number of after-school providers, in hopes of setting up after-school programs at every elementary and middle school in the district. "We thought the ransomware attack was our disaster for the year, but just when we started to rise from the ashes, the global pandemic thrust us into another crisis," Trujillo wrote. In 1997, Trujillo started teaching GRADS and social studies at Cobre High School. A full obituary is pending at this time and will be posted as soon as they become available. Funeral Home Servi. Dr. Trujillo represented her district with dignity and honor and she strived to make a positive impact.- posted by the Gadsden football team and head coach Dino Facio Jr. The New Mexico SuperintendentsAssociation (NMSSA), on behalf of its members, wish to express its sympathy to the family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Karen Trujillo. In addition, she is survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces and nephews, and Godchildren. Trujillo Funeral Home obituaries and Death Notices for the Albuquerque, NM area. Diane Trujillo Obituary. Trujillo reminded Las Crucens that the quickest and surest way to get back to in-person instruction was to abide by COVID-safe practices mask-wearing, social-distancing and hand-washing. Sheloved teaching math, because it involved helping students understand how to get to a solution when they have certain variables to consider and rules to follow. Often, though, they hurt." After receiving her Ph.D., Trujillo moved to Truth or Consequences in 2000 to teach math at Hot Springs High School for three years, while also continuing to work at NMSU with the RETA program and eventually Mathematically Connected Communities (MC2). 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. She navigated a cyber-attack and the current pandemic. "These daysit seems that when a plan comes together, the need for a new plan materializes," Trujillo wrote. Witnesses to the crash were asked to contact investigators at 575-526-0795. "Theres an old proverb that says if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. Updated: November 12, 2011 . More:Las Cruces Public Schools to meet Monday to decide next steps after sudden loss of superintendent. if( width > 480 ){ She left a legacy there in Las Cruces in regard to education and working with children, that was her passion, Gonzalez said. He can be reached at 575-202-3205, mmcdevitt@lcsun-news.com or @MikeMcDTweets on Twitter. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.imperialfunerals.com for the Stephens family. The Sun-News talked to Ray Jaramillo, school board president; Manny Sanchez, who took Trujillo's place on the Doa Ana County Commission;and Dan Trujillo, police spokesman and Karen's family member, for more insight into what she meant to this community. Lydia Trujillo of Ouray, Colorado, passed away on Feb. 19 in her home surrounded by her children and many members of their families. Michelle Lujan Grisham to be education secretary. She's really worked so hard trying to balance all the things that she could., Karen Trujillo column:Schools: Be the light, He first got to know Trujillo during that 2018 primary season, describing her as a genuine, warm person with a sense of humor. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Bacas Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Oct. 4, 2020:What is it going to take to fully reopen in the spring? He passed peacefully at home with his loved ones at his side. After six months on the job, Trujillo was abruptly let go, a move Trujillo said came as a surprise. robert b. theobald. Speaking personally on Friday, Dan remembered Karenas "just a wonderful person, a wonderful parent and a wonderful partner for my cousin Ben.". From 2010-18, Trujillo worked at NMSU in various capacities, teaching courses, working with educators, writing grants and conducting research. Police have not issued charges as of yet. One thingJaramillo said he learned from Trujillois that despite being busy, there's always time to make sure that people are OK. "She was always working. May 31, 2020:Staying connected to your childs mental and physical well-being. Las Cruces Catholic Schools pays tribute to Karen Trujillo, Trujillo'sobituary, which published in the Sunday, March, 7, print edition of the Sun-News,outlined these details, Karen Trujillo scholarship fund to help aspiring teachers at NMSU, http://support.nmsu.edu/give/memorial/trujillo-memorial/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Dan Trujillo, who is a spokesperson for the Las Cruces Police Department, knows Karen Trujillo well. Later Trujillo was promoted to be the interim associate dean for research in NMSUs College of Education. Create an obituary. She had three children and was married to Ben Trujillo. Former state Public Education Secretary Karen Trujillo, shown in 2019 when she was named Las Cruces schools superintendent, was struck and killed by a van Feb. 25 in Las Cruces while walking her dogs. Not only was she an outstanding leader for @LCPS.net but also an incredible mother and wife. Police say the victim was taken to MountainView Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead soon after. Mon-Fri, 7am-6pm MDT. Dr. Trujillo fought so hard for our kids in the community and she will be missed.- posted by the Onate Knights football team. Along with making sure children have access to higher education, they also should have the option to work on dads farm., Lets support what we have, Trujillo said. . Karen Trujillo was. In 2000, Karen began working at NMSU as an adjunct professor and remained a local school administrator. Search obits for your ancestors, relatives, friends. Aug. 9, 2020:Welcome back, LCPS students. Trujillo grew up in Santa Fe and moved to Las Cruces at age 16. She began hercareer as a math teacher atLas Cruces High School in 1993. Dr. Karen Marie Trujillo, 50, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, beloved wife and partner to Ben Trujillo, mother of Taralyn, Tim and, Tavyn, transitioned from this earth to be with her Lord Jesus, and with the Communion of Saints, on Thursday, February 25, 2021. Our Story | She wants the county to conduct a needs assessment to determine the viability of a passenger-van pilot program to better connect residents in northern Doa Ana County with the services they need. Solving these issues requires bringing people together to come up with a solution, she said, including state legislators and New Mexicos federal delegation. Posted in: Obituaries. Subscribe Sign In Try for a limited time! She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1972. Funeral ceremony and Local use of hearse (within 40 miles) Transfer of remains to the funeral home within 80 miles. LAPS News: Los Alamos Public Schools is deeply saddened by news of the death of Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Karen Trujillo, who was struck and killed by a vehicle last evening.. LAPS joins the other New Mexico school districts in offering its condolences to her family and the LCPS district as they navigate through this shocking and tragic loss. You are vital to this organization and to the success of our students. Karen Trujillo is the former New Mexico secretary of education. Trujillo was welcomed as a steady and compassionate leader at the end of a turbulent year for the school district, in which gains in student achievement had been upstaged by controversies including complaints about her predecessor's leadership as well as the closure and long-term relocation of Columbia Elementary School over persistent mold infestations. They made sure to call each other every day at 11 a.m. todiscuss school issues. According to police, a Nissan Quest minivan traveling west on Edgewood struck Trujillo, who was transported to MountainView Regional Medical Center and pronounced deceased shortly thereafter. The Friday, March 12, viewing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is intendedfor those who didnot personally know Trujillo but would like to pay respects/. by Natalie Marshall (Silver Dolphin, $9.99 . Thursday night, Jaramillo was at home when he heard sirens in the neighborhood. The organization gives students an opportunity to engage in teaching while in high school. "We are devastated to hear of the passing of Dr. Karen Trujillo," said New Mexico Activities Association Executive Director Sally Marquez. Even when others wouldn't.". Search Aurora obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. She drew upon her many years in the classroom to be a champion for educators and an advocate for students.. She was also a RETA coordinator in the Bootheel region of the state through Western New Mexico University. Dr. Karen Marie Trujillo Las Cruces - Dr. Karen Marie Trujillo, 50, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, beloved wife and partner to Ben Trujillo, mother of Taralyn, Tim and, Tavyn, transitioned from. He asked the community to instead of donating food to them, take it to homeless shelters and in lieu of flowers, said they wanted to create a scholarship fund for people to donate to. In 2004, she returned to Las Cruces with her family. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. Despite their best-laid plans, nearly all students remained under the remote model throughout the fall and well into the spring of 2021.