Margarita Pagan

María Margarita Obregón Pagán was a true trailblazer, but you would never know it to hear from her. She only saw herself as an ordinary woman doing what needed to be done, but she was far from ordinary. For the daughter of Mexican immigrants to go to college in the 1950s, attain three degrees, teach college, and serve as a university administrator—all while raising four children and caring for a husband disabled in the Korean War—she had to persevere with faith, strength, and courage.

She was born in El Paso, TX on 8 June 1934, the oldest of two daughters born to Valentín Obregón and María Gregoria Estrada. As a child, she loved learning. She excelled so much in school that she was advanced two grades in elementary school. Her parents encouraged her to go to college, and she attended Brigham Young University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business. She nurtured her intellect and her curiosity all her life, and later, while working full time at Arizona State University, she received a second BA degree in History, and a Master of Arts in Spanish from ASU.

She dedicated her life to teaching and mentoring. She taught Spanish and History at Phoenix College and Mesa Community College. She led the Bilingual Education program at Mesa Community College, and, at Arizona State University, she led the Career Options in Business, and the Hispanic Business Association programs in the College of Business. Each of these programs worked to promote the opportunities that education offered for Hispanic families around Arizona. With care, grace, and encouragement, she inspired countless students, especially those who may not otherwise have attended college.

Her passion for learning and service continued her whole life. Even in retirement she continued to take classes and to study. She pursued her lifelong desire to develop her art and painting abilities, working with colored pencil drawings, pastels and oil paintings. Guided by love and a deep faith, she devoted many years to serving her within her faith community, volunteering many years at the Mesa Arizona Temple, and serving two full-time missions in Provo, Utah and in Madrid, Spain.

She passed away peacefully in her home at 89 years old after a brief illness, just shy of the 2024 New Year. She was surrounded in love by family and many friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Daniel, sons Daniel and Ricardo, and granddaughters Tara and Rosa, and her beloved sister Socorro (Coco). She is survived by her son Eduardo Pagán (Ruth) and daughter Cynthia Pagán Malolo (Brent), her fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Her legacy lives on and continues in the example she has given - one of living with love, kindness, grace and light.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, 20 January, beginning at 12:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 613 N Stewart, Mesa, AZ 85201. Following the service will be a burial at 2:00 p.m. at the Resthaven Cemetery on 4310 E Southern Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042.