Lucile Armstrong

Lucile W. Armstrong, a long-time resident of Aztec, passed away peacefully at home on November 26th, 2022, at 100. Lucile, the youngest of 10 children, was born March 14th, 1922 to Kate (nee Lewis) and Galvin Alvis White on a farm near Capulin, N.M. Her childhood was happy despite having neither electricity nor running water. The farm was productive. Lucile learned to drive before age 12 after her elder siblings left home as neither parent ever learned to drive. Lucile was the winner of a beauty contest at age 15 in Raton and also won the NM State 4-H club canning award, which included a paid trip to Chicago. Lucile was a talented musician and, as a teen, performed a classical piano recital, including one of her own compositions. Entering college at age 16, she later graduated from NMSU with a degree in Home Economics. Gifted with a beautiful soprano singing voice, she was a soloist in the college's performance of Handel's Messiah. It was at NMSU Lucile met her future husband, Shelby Armstrong, whom she married during WWII. She and Shelby later moved to Aztec in 1946, where they owned Aztec Hardware for 20 years, then purchased Hidden Valley CC. Lucile and Shelby were active in civic affairs for many years until his death in 1996. Lucile was a much-loved elementary school educator, music teacher, and librarian for 30 years. An avid reader, she established Aztec's first elementary school library, and at retirement in 1984, Lucile was in charge of three elementary school libraries. For many years she sang for church services, weddings, and funerals. A bridge player, gardener, and golfer with the Hidden Valley CC golf association, she was also an exceptional seamstress and baker. She played 18 holes of golf on her 90th birthday. She is survived by her daughter Kathy Ramsey (Bob) of Aztec, son Mickey (Kathy) of Farmington, NM, and son Kelly Armstrong (Wendy) of Wilbraham, MA. There are six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. A service to celebrate her life will be at 11 am on December 15th at Aztec Presbyterian Church. Ashes will be interred at a later date at Aztec Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village or to Aztec Public Library.