Noemi Flores Barragan was born on December 28,1930 in Miami, Arizona. She was one of six children born to Efren and Thomasa Flores. She passed away on Thursday September 9, 2021 at the age of 90 in the presence of her loving family.
She attended Aoy elementary and graduated from Bowie High School. In 1949 she married Mauricio “Chito” Barragan and soon after became a mother subsequently having 7 children, 4 girls and 3 boys. These included in order of seniority, Daniel Barragan (Yolanda), Yolanda Reyes (Chava), Mauricio Barragan (Sandy), Margarita Garibay (Jose), Hortencia Barragan Melby (Mark), Teresa Barragan Montelongo (Tony), and Arturo Barragan (deceased).
With a rapidly growing family the Barragan household would continued to expand from the 7 children occupying the home to also include 2 more children in an open household, Paul and Frank DeMarco; who due to circumstances could not be cared for by their natural parents and were welcomed into the Barragan home and raised as part of a united family. A house full of children would be a burden to many, but to Noemi it was always about a home where everyone felt loved and protected. To her, children were innocent and anything she could do to better their life and promote their childhood was her nature. Always loving and tirelessly working to that end.
Raising a large extended family would seem to be a lifetime of work, but in 1972 along with her eldest daughter Yolie, she opened the iconic El Paso beauty salon Barragan’s in west El Paso. Chito had already had a men’s barber shop in Fox plaza. Barragan’s Beauty Shop was opened on Waymore street and Chito moved his barber shop next door so that the two were eventually incorporated together, giving men and women a place where both sexes could come to get their hair done, something that was not seen at the time. She worked as the head of the salon until 1995 when she retired and turned over the reigns to her four daughters.
Even in her retirement she never stopped being active. She was a voracious reader, having traveled the world, she visited numerous foreign countries and among her many activities she began painting, learned piano and guitar and studied Italian. She was active in the community going back to her roots to help The Aoy Alumni Association raise money so that children in need would have school supplies, shoes and clothing, meals during Thanksgiving and presents during the Christmas holiday. She was also a member of The Club de Oro, a social group who shared a love of music.
Noemi’s house was always the meeting point for the family, which had grown to include 20 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She was truly the matriarch of a large loving family. To know Noemi was to know a kind loving women who always had a smile, and as a family we could not of asked for anything more because she gave her all to her children and grandchildren. Her memory will not fade in our heart and we were all better off from her love and guidance. Her love and legacy will continue to live on through her large and extended family.
A visitation for Noemi will be held Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 5:00 PM with Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N Resler Dr, El Paso, Texas 79912. Funeral Mass will take place Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 9:30 AM at St Patrick Cathedral, 1118 N Mesa St, El Paso, Texas 79902. Graveside Service will follow Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Evergreen Cemetery East, 12400 Montana Ave., El Paso, Texas 79938.
Serving as pallbearers are Daniel Reyes, Michael Reyes, Mark Jared Melby, Joey Garibay, Erick Garibay, Tury Barragan, Daniel Barragan and Paul Barragan.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Barragan family.
