d. Sept.16, 2025
A beautiful woman with a generous and loving heart graduated to her heavenly home on Sept. 16, 2025. Catherine “Cathy” DeHerrera-Taylor was born on Nov. 8, 1957, to Valdemar and Consuelo DeHerrera in Taos, NM. Cathy grew up in Costilla, N.M., with her 5 siblings on a beautiful ranch where she learned the value of hard work and family.
After graduating from Questa High School in 1976, she left for California, where she attended school and received her dental assistant certification. She loved working in this particular field but did return to school to pursue her nursing assistant certification which opened up a passion for caring for others. Cathy worked as a hospice caregiver for 14 years until her retirement in 2020. Even though she retired, she would still be doing what she was purposed for, but now it would be to help care for her elderly father.
Cathy’s motivation for life, her true pride and joy, her greatest ministry, and heart’s purpose was for her daughter Maria. Cathy would move mountains and sacrifice much for Maria to have the very best of everything. This is why Cathy and Maria moved to Alamogordo in the early 90’s. It was an open door and opportunity for Maria to have the best education available. Little did Cathy know that not only would Maria thrive in her new environments, but Cathy would also receive one of her greatest blessings.
Cathy met the love of her life, Terry Taylor, in 2004 at the local county fair. From that day on, they were inseparable. They dated, fell deeply in love, and ultimately married May 16, 2009. Terry not only loved Cathy unconditionally, he reignited her faith, restored her trust, and created a contagious joy in her that left her with a permanent smile.
Cathy is preceded in death by her infant daughter Andrea, her parents Valdemar and Consuelo, and brother-in-law Curtis Clements.
She is survived by her loving husband Terry, beautiful daughter Maria, stepchildren Jonathan (Stephanie) Taylor, Marvin (Shanna) Taylor, and Kelly (John) Carpenter. Her Grandchildren, Trevin, Xavier, John Michael, Kandace, Samantha, Lexie, Ellie, Lilly, Terrie, and Nicholas, her siblings Lydia (Richard) Peterson, Juanita Clements, Valarie (Don) Rael, Valdemar DeHerrera Jr., Nancy (Stephen) Crochet, half-sister Bonnie Santistevan, adopted sister Linda Romero and many nieces, nephews, family and loved ones.
Cathy will always be remembered for her golden heart of compassion and generosity and her beautiful and loving spirit.
A celebration of life service was held on Sept. 26th at Mountain View Church in Alamogordo, N.M. Another celebration of life service was held on Oct. 18 at Living Word Ministries in Questa, N.M. at 10 a.m., Burial was at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Costilla, N.M., followed by a fellowship meal at the Parish Center.
