Dear Candice, Edward, Jack and Ed. My heart aches for the loss of your wonderful mom and grandmom. Nell made such an indelible impression on me beginning with her 80th birthday party. She was fiercely loving, wickedly funny, kindly honest, warm, and caring. I’m so fortunate our paths crossed, however infrequently in recent years. I will never forget her, and I will be thinking of you.

Dearest Momma,

Worry not. Eddie, Jack, and I will look out for one another for the remainder of our days and we will watch over your beloved grandchild. Rest easy, our precious mother.

Peetie

Nell, via one of Candice’s New Years day parties years ago, introduced me and my family to posole, a spicy southwestern hominy-like dish. Then she sent me the recipe along with several dried red peppers. I’ve been making her delicious posole ever since. Thank you, Nell!

Dearest Dawg, Edward, Jack, Eddie, My deepest heartfelt love and hugs. Your beautiful tribute says it all. Your Mom’s/Grammu’s spirit lives. You embody her passion for life, zest for adventure, and fierce love and loyalty to family and friends. Her legacy lives through you, the joy of her life, her three beloved children, and her most precious grandson. I am eternally grateful for Nell’s unconditional love. She graced our lives, and we’re eternally grateful and blessed. Her wicked sense of humor, laughter, and love of life lives on. Hers was a life well lived!

Although I haven’t seen Nellie in several decades, she will always remain a special and cherished aunt. She was one of a kind the most upbeat person I have ever met. A huge sense of humor, kind to all, ever stylish and always a looker. That poem captured her completely. She will be with us all in spirit forever. I’m going out to take a walk in the sunshine in your honor. Love you, Nellie Dear!

I was always amazed at her energy and humor. Always upbeat and positive. An example to us all and probably a key to her longevity. Rest in peace.

My condolences too the family of the passing of Nell. I have many fond memories of the family of early days in Los Alamos.
Rest in piece

My heartfelt condolences, dear Candice and Edward for loss of your mom and granny. I am thinking of you.

Judith and Jim O’Sullivan

Your mother is an inspiration! What a dynamo she is!

Originally I met Nellie in college because our boyfriends were friends but we lived in different dorms. Next I met her on one of the streets in Los Alamos where we were both working. That started our lifelong friendship. Nellie was barrels of fun and impish. When we drove down the mountain from Los Alamos, Nellie would wave at every passing car. Once we talked Freddy into letting us drive his convertible. I was always the driver and Nellie called me the Wooden Indian for the rest of our time together. We got to go to Hawaii together in our later years and we drove from one end of the island to the other. Our last trip together was a road trip to Colorado. Nellie was always ready for anything.
My condolences to her beloved family and thank you Nellie for being such a good friend. You gave me many happy days.

Such a wonderful person. Honestly, one of those rare people who you meet and actually remember, such brightness and warmth. I think of her from time to time when I am hiking. I know that you will miss her. She was lucky to have the love of all of you.

Dear Will Family – Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to an amazing life. Such a wonderful legacy. My condolences for your loss. In addition to her compassion, humor, and the many talents and gifts already mentioned, I know Nell had a deep appreciation for clear, strong, and graceful writing, which she passed along to her daughter, who shared it with her colleagues on a daily basis. Candice, the special relationship you have with your Mom is truly a gift for everyone who knows you. Rest in peace, Nell.

Aunt Nellie,
You were a huge presence in the lives of the Vigil children. I remember being enamored with your quick and snappy speech interspersed with pet names and funny expressions.
Our friends regarded you as a rich celebrity because you had STYLE! You set up a mini arcade with Ring Toss, Balloon Pop, Basket Toss, and Go Fish in Grandpa and Grandma Reed’s side yard and with a makeshift baton or mehaphone, you invited them all to come play the games of chance. Everyone left winners, knowing Aunt Nellie sure was fun.
And when Daddy died, you comforted us but got our minds on riddles and games that made us forget our sadness for a little while. You were the bandaid.
And I vividly remember being the observer of Pitch Games with Grandpa and Uncle Ed against you and Ione, our mother and your sister. I cherished those subsequent teasing laughs at Uncle Ed’s jubilant cries of ‘I should have shot the moon!”
You were always so generous with your time and kindness toward our mother. She ALWAYS cherished time with you, and I know how hard it was for you to lose her. You often gave her the strength to hold on for one more visit. You were so positive and nurturing.
But my most beautiful memory of you was in Uncle Ed’s arms at Candice’s wedding dance. Never was there a more graceful couple and I felt as if I was witnessing Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers right before my eyes. I hope that’s where you are now: in the arms of your one true love dancing the streets of Heaven.

To Ed, Candice, and Jack, I know a huge fan of yours left this earth, but I know her love and devotion to each of you has left you secure and confident in your abilities. You will go on and do well. I love you all dearly. To Edward, I know your grandmother inspired you to do great things because of what is IN you…greatness and vitality she modeled. I hope to get better acquainted with the man who was the interesting boy
.

It has been an honor to have known her, and has been with gratitude, love, and admiration that bid farewell to our inimitable Aunt Nellie. Vaya con Dios.

Jo Beth

This is a Fantastic Lady, I knew Her for many years and had good political conversations. She work with my sister Joann at Carriage INN/ Morgans.

Aunt Nellie,
How could I forget the young beauty who won the heart of our Uncle Ed; the talented seamstress who gifted her triplet nieces with exciting red skirts; the sister-in-law to Mom & Dad who brought laughter and life to every occasion; the friend who loved family, walked religiously, and spoke precisely? Not me.

Dear Candice, Eddie, Jack, & Edward – My prayers are with you. Your mother & grandmother remains an extraordinary woman, only now in a different place and finally free from all the declines and difficulties that life brings our way. I feel so fortunate to have met her around the time of Edward’s high school graduation. She lived a remarkable life and raised a tremendously fine family! Thank you for sharing the lovely tribute of her life!

Will Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I was so interested to learn about Nell’s accomplishments and impact, but not surprised. Her memory and spirit lives on with your family, friends, and lovely starry skies.
My best to the family,
Sammy

Dear Candice, Jack, Edi and Edward,
This is so sad to hear about passing of our beloved Nell. Rarely one meets a person of such a great soul, full of life and positive vibes, loved by everyone and who loved everyone around her. Always sharp, with unparalleled sense of humor and shining with kindness. I only wish I had met het more often. If it is any consolation at all, she lived a long and happy life, with ups and downs I am sure, but always surrounded by her loving children and Edward, and friends and others close to her.
Sincere condolences to all of you.

Aunt, you have always been in our lives. There was no one more fun loving,upbeat with a joyful heart. Our mother was so blessed
to have you as her sister. We are equally blessed you are our aunt. We are sad and mourn your passing. You are now with Uncle Ed, Mother and your family. A heavenly reunion with God and the Angels.
All our love,
Jerico and family

Dear Candice and Edward,

Sending you our sincerest condolences and thinking of you and your family during this very difficult time. What a lovely and touching tribute to your beloved mother and grandmother.

With sympathy,

Maia and Zura

Dear Grammu,
To me you were not just my grandma, but the coolest lady in the world. When we came to visit, I could be sure at some point that you would pull me to the side and demand a shot of whiskey in your bedtime milkshake, then likely accuse my mom and uncles of horrible mistreatment. Time again for us both to bust out of there and hit the blackjack tables.
I will cherish the time we spent together climbing sand piles and playing on the jungle gym. You were the first person to show me how to enjoy the monkey bars. Not just how to use them, but how to really swing.
Here’s to coming home with blisters,
Your favorite grandson

Eddie, Jack, Candice and Edward,
Sending my condolences to all of you. Nell was one of a kind and I was lucky enough to live in Albuquerque when she was there, in her lovely home with the big tree out front. I never left that home without a plateful of brownies or some other food Nell had “too much of”. Usually there was also something Nell had found on one of her bargain shopping trips to Dillards. She was a special person in my life, always full of surprises, and I will never put on a pair of white shorts without thinking of Nell.

Dear Candice, Edward, and Ed and Jack,

My condolences to you for your loss; I am sure you are missing Mom and Grammu. I am glad for all of you though that you were able to have such a spirited, kind, and doting : ) Mom and Grammu. What a blessing for her too to have all of you and to be able to have lived at home. Will think of her and all of you next time gaze at the stars…

Nel, no words can express how blessed I feel to have had you in my life. You were the bestest. (As we would say). Enjoy being on the dance floor once again with your Edward. Love you and will miss you, but don’t forget I have some dance lessons coming when I get there.
My condolences to your family. You were truly loved by everyone.

I am sorry. I remember in the old days Lisa and I would go to ALBQ and stop at your house. You were so full of energy and always wanting to go some place. You were so nice.

Aunt Nellie, We lost a bright star when you left but I’m sure you’re making heaven brighter! You made us beautiful red skirts when we were younger. You shared many pleasant times with me while visiting mom and dad. You taught me unconditional love. You were always a fireball walking the paths at St Joe cemetery. The clabber games with Uncle Ed, mom and dad and you were legendary! I wonder what became of the tiny moccasins that symbolized a “hick”! Sorry I never made it over or down to visit in these later years! I had no idea when I spoke to you so very recently it would be the last time! Thanks Jack for that opportunity. I offer my condolences to Candice, Jack, Eddie, and grandson, Edward. I will keep you all in my best thoughts and prayers! Love to you all! Jan & family

Dear Candance,
Wonderful fond memories of you and your mother! Thinking of you in this difficult times! Please take care, Sarah Conaway

Dear Nell,

I did not know you. But I do know Candice, your daughter. I do know Jerry Vigil, your nephew. And through them, I know something of you: a lover of nature & learning, someone witty, kind, and clever who brought laughter & joy to friends and family, a woman of wisdom who left her mark on a beautiful daughter, my friend, who also shares a kind & an effervescent energy wherever she lands.