Margarita Anchondo Licón passed away peacefully at the Licón family home surrounded by her close family. She is survived by her husband of sixty-three years, Guillermo, and her five children: Robert, David, Patricia Licón-Delgado (Marcos), Susanne Kligman (Gregory), and Daniel. She will be remembered as a dedicated Abuelita to William, Michael, and Elizabeth Licón; Marcos Joseph and Arabella Delgado; Davi Williams (Michael), Sarah Kligman (Joseph), and Samuel Kligman. Keeping Margarita close in their hearts are her siblings, Dolores Anchondo, Alicia Rosas, and Roberto Anchondo (Susan).
Margarita, affectionately known as Margie, was born in El Paso, Texas on January 7, 1935 to Jesús and Maria Anchondo. She attended Jesus and Mary Elementary School, St. Patrick Cathedral School, and Loretto Academy. She also received her Bachelor’s in Education from Texas Western College, now University of Texas at El Paso. Margie began her career as an educator by sharing her love of learning with students at Roosevelt and Lamar Elementary Schools. During this time she was introduced to Guillermo and the pair married at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1958.
Margie spent her life dedicated to her family. She loved being a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, and a friend to many in the El Paso and Juárez community. As the eldest of four siblings, she was patient and loving. She was their best friend and mentor. As a wife, she was a devoted partner to her husband Guillermo, even helping him build a successful civil engineering practice from the ground up. As a mother, she wholeheartedly adored and supported her five children. Margie was proud to cheer them on at swim meets, basketball tournaments, spelling bees, and college graduations. Her kindness and patience as a mother also extended to her twelve nieces and nephews, many of whom spent time growing up at the old Licón family home on Buckingham Drive. Margie made her house a home to anyone who came by, even to the occasional stray animal picked up by her children (mainly David).
In addition to her family, Margie valued her faith and education. She was raised as a dutiful and devout Catholic and held true to her beliefs throughout her life. Margie was also a lifelong learner. She was intelligent - always reading, following current and international events, and holding her own in any debate on any topic. Margie made education a core value for her entire family, for which they are forever grateful. Her interests extended beyond the books, as well. Margie caught the travel bug early in life and was always eager to explore new places and cultures. She had a wealth of knowledge about anything and everything, even which team to bet on during football Saturdays or the Super Bowl - a sacred family tradition that Margie ensured was passed on to the next generation.
Margie, our beloved Mom and Abuelita, was a kind, generous, and loving person. She was elegant and full of grace. Margie led a life full of love and wonder - one that we can only hope to experience ourselves. We mourn her passing along with so many others. Her big smile saying “bye, mija/mijo” or “bye, linda/lindo” will be forever etched in our memories as we say goodbye.
Visitation for Margarita will be held Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM with Rosary at 3:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home, 128 North Resler Drive, El Paso, TX 79912. Funeral Mass will take place Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1551 Belvidere St, El Paso, Texas 79912. Graveside Service will follow at 2:30 PM at Memory Gardens of the Valley, 4900 McNutt Rd., Santa Teresa, NM 88008. In Lieu of flowers please donate to the Michael J Fox Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org Or by phone 1-800-708-7644.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Licón family.
