On July 16th, 2026, Margaret Lucero Peña, 89, entered Eternal Life surrounded by her children.
A visitation will be held on Friday, July 31st, at 5:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, followed by a funeral Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Margaret was born on November 6th, 1936, in Mesilla, New Mexico, to Rafael and Juanita Lucero, the eldest of nine siblings. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Jose Rafael and Alcario, and a sister who passed at birth. Margaret is survived by five of her siblings, Esther, Josephine, Henry Richardo, Mary Frances, and Ralph Jr.; her two children; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Margaret led a courageous and adventurous life. Her daring spirit carried her to Colorado, where she attended Loretto Heights College in Denver. There, she earned a scholarship to study in Spain in 1956, attending the University of Madrid and the University of Santander through a student exchange program. After completing her studies, she remained in Spain, working first at the U.S. Embassy and later for the U.S. Army. In December 1959, she married Miguel Peña, and together they had two children, Regina Marie and Michael. Margaret returned to New Mexico in 1964 to raise her children as a single mother, surrounded and supported by her extended family. In 1978, she moved to Huntsville, Alabama, with her two children after being accepted into an Army Human Resources internship program. Soon after arriving, she joined the Spanish Club of Huntsville, forming lifelong friendships that lasted until her final days. She retired from MICOM at Redstone Arsenal in 1990.
Retirement marked the beginning of a new chapter devoted to her faith, her community, and those in need. Margaret’s life can best be defined by Faith, Hope, and Love. Together with her dear friend, Maria Mills, she launched an outreach Catholic Hispanic mission in Albertville to serve the indigent Hispanic families arriving in north Alabama to work at the area’s poultry processing plants. She helped set up healthcare clinics, a food pantry, and a free clothing store; provided translation services; advocated for housing; and helped establish a church for the Spanish-speaking community in Albertville, among other activities. She worked closely with hospitals, social services, and government agencies on behalf of women, the undocumented, and the poor, living out her belief that faith without works is dead (James 2:14–26).
In her final years, Margaret finally slowed down, devoting more time to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her community, her people, and her church were always closest to her heart.
In lieu of flowers or food for the family, memorial donations may be made to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church Emergency Needs Fund, in the name of Margaret Peña, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 625 Airport Rd. SW, Huntsville, AL 35802, (256) 881-4781 (https://holyspirithsv.com/).
