Maria "Mónica " (Torrez) Herrera

The Rosary for Mónica Herrera, 81, of Portales, will be recited by the local chapter of the Catholic Daughters at 6:00 PM, Thurs., Oct. 23, 2025 at St. Helen Catholic Church with a reception to follow.  Another Rosary will be recited at 12:00 PM, Sat., Nov. 1, 2025 at St. Jude's Catholic Church, 28104 Peter Hurd Loop, San Patricio, NM 88348.  It will be followed by the Mass of the Resurrection, burial and a reception.  In lieu of sending flowers, please give to the Savina and Eloy Torrez Scholarship, which Monica established at Eastern New Mexico University at https://enmu-foundation.snwbll.com/online-giving https://enmu-foundation.snwbll.com/online-giving

Maria Mónica Herrera was born on February 28, 1944, in Roswell, New Mexico, to Savina Salcido Torrez and Eloy Torrez and passed from this life on October 18, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. Her mother, Savina, always said that being born on February 29th made her a leap-year baby — a fact that Mónica delighted in sharing throughout her life.

Mónica grew up in the Hondo Valley and graduated from Hondo High School in 1961. On June 19, 1961, she married Felix Herrera. Together, they lived, worked, and raised their two children, David and Carla, in the Hondo Valley until 1969, when they moved to Roswell, New Mexico, to attend classes at the Roswell Campus of Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU).

In 1971, the family relocated to Portales, where Mónica continued her education. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1972 and was one of 25 teachers selected, along with her dear friend/sister Trina Lujan, to study in Mexico during the summer of that same year. That fall, Mónica began her career as a pioneer in bilingual education with six other teachers at Lindsey Elementary School. She taught there for three years and then assisted in the implementation of the new curricula in bilingual education and supervised ENMU bilingual education majors at the newly established ENMU lab school partnership with Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Clovis, New Mexico.

In 1974, she completed her Master’s Degree in Education and Administration and accepted a position as Assistant Director of Bilingual Education in the School of Education at ENMU, later becoming Director. Mónica continued to work at ENMU and transitioned to Student Affairs as a Recruiter-Counselor for the Educational Talent Search–TRIO Programs. In that role, she traveled extensively across New Mexico, and inspired and assisted students to pursue higher education or vocational training.

During this period, she also taught bilingual education courses at ENMU and pursued postgraduate studies in Administration, Counseling, and Guidance. Mónica was an active member of various state and national educational associations and was frequently invited to speak at conferences and organized workshops throughout the country.

Later, she was appointed Bilingual Education Coordinator for the Roswell Independent School District, a position she held until retirement from public education in New Mexico. Even after retirement, her passion for teaching continued, and she accepted a position in Hereford, Texas, where she taught kindergarten for three years. 

In 2001, after retirement, Mónica lived in Amsterdam for six months to care for her newborn grandson, David. She considered the time spent in Amsterdam, as well as, the times she spent with her other grand and great-grand children in Las Cruces to be the most beautiful, precious and meaningful in her life.

Mónica was an accomplished artist and she created numerous paintings that graced her home and those of family and friends. She also enjoyed and wrote short stories and poetry, several of which were published in educational magazines.

She and her husband traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad and visited Carla, Antonio and David in Madrid, Spain, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Together, they explored many countries in Europe. Mónica especially cherished trips to Rome and Vatican City and she attended the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, and visited Boston and New York City with her sisters in 1999. Mónica loved, attended and organized family gatherings — especially at Christmas, Easter, and family reunions — she always brought people together with warmth, laughter, and her generous spirit.

She was a devoted member of St. Helen Catholic Church and was active in the Catholic Daughters. Throughout her life, Mónica supported numerous charitable organizations, the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Roswell was especially meaningful to her. 

Mónica is survived by her husband, Felix, of the home; her son, David Herrera, of Las Cruces, New Mexico; her daughter, Carla Herrera, and husband, Antonio Sánchez-Guitián, of Madrid, Spain; two grandchildren, David Sánchez-Herrera and Jennifer (Lalo) Leyva; and three great-grandchildren, Jocelyn, Jacklyn, and Josiah Leyva. She is also survived by her sisters, Virginia Torrez-Mathiasen (Gale Mathiasen) of Albuquerque, NM; Jennie Torrez-Ortiz (Tony Ortiz) of Roswell, NM; Cecilia Torrez (Fermín Trujillo) of Roswell, NM; Maria Torrez-Montes (Gilbert Montes†) of Oklahoma City, OK; Martha Torrez-Polaco (Simon Polaco) of Roswell, NM; her brothers, Eloy Torrez (Sheila Turner Torrez) of Huntsville, AL, and Presiliano Torrez (Monica Gonzalez Torrez) of Albuquerque, NM; four sisters-in-law, Beatrice Morales (Robert Morales†) and Dorothy Gomez (Luis Gomez) of Roswell, NM, and Ramona Cramer (Carlos Cramer) and Patricia Lucero (Paul Lucero†) of Albuquerque, NM; one brother-in-law, Alvino Herrera (Nancy Herrera) of Roswell, NM; along with 43 nieces and nephews, 96 great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, 8 godchildren, and many beloved friends and colleagues.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Dolores Torrez-Davies (Ray Davies), Manuelita Torrez-Porter (C. H. Porter†), Becky Torrez-Eger, and baby Cecilia Maria Torrez; four sisters-in-law, Irene Richardson, Pauline Randolph (Levoy Randolph), Stella Herrera, and Delfinia Herrera; and one brother-in-law, Richard Herrera.

Mónica will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, artist and educator whose warmth, laughter, and positivity touched countless lives. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she inspired.

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