PEGGY ANN ARMIJO RUIZ March 31, 1948 ~ October 8, 2014 "On October 8, 2014, it was time to travel on to a healthy and happier place where my daughter, Nycole Forte; parents Frances and Manuel Armijo and sister, Patti Armijo, await me. Before I left, I reflected back on what I was able to accomplish. I worked for 25 years for the NM State Personnel Office; 4 years as Director of Human Resources for the NM General Services Department; 9 years for the NM State Legislature as Committee Secretary for Capital Outlay Projects, Tax and Revenue. I volunteered for charitable organizations including: Open Hands, St. Vincent Hospital Auxiliary, Santa Fe Fiesta Council, The Taste of Santa Fe and most importantly, the American Cancer Society along with its Reach to Recovery Program. During this time I reached thousands of women by organizing and implementing seminars on breast cancer awareness. Every one of my health care providers made presentations at these seminars which were held annually for five years. They included my oncologist, radiologist, surgeon and counselor and special friend Melinda Pike, a breast cancer survivor. I was honored to have been selected as one of New Mexico's Outstanding Women, a program which was organized to provide recognition for the contributions to society which women have made. This past year was very difficult, but I was able to get through with the support and love of my sons: Mark Forte and wife Rebecca, and A. J. Forte; sister Loretta and brother-in-law Porky Lithgow; brother Fred Armijo; close sister-like friends: Margie G. Martinez, Jessica Arias, Patsy Montoya and Emma Lopez; and daughter-like Amanda Lujan. There were many family and friends that I was unable to visit with but I did receive and felt their love and prayers. Tebo, my shih-szu puppy gave me a special love and support. In closing, I truly enjoyed helping people; please don't give up hope and beliefs .