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Albuquerque, NM—Judy Jaramillo, a longtime employee of jewelry supply, equipment, and technology company Rio Grande, was killed in a tragic car accident on Friday, October 18. She was 56.

Jaramillo, who also served as the vice president of the New Mexico Guild of the American Gem Society, joined Rio Grande in 2001. She held multiple roles at the company over the years, most recently as a customer account representative, says Molly Bell, Rio Grande executive vice president.

“Judy was a natural people-person, a devoted champion for each and every account she served. She was very successful because she built genuine relationships wherever she went. Her customers loved her,” said Bell.

A creative person, Jaramillo was a key organizer of Rio Grande’s annual employee arts and crafts extravaganza. She made some jewelry (as a hobby more than as a business, says Bell), and many friends and family were treated to her jewelry gifts. An accomplished cook and an Albuquerque native, she also was famous for her New Mexican cooking and often treated colleagues to her family recipes. 

“Her loss is significant, especially painful given her passion for life and the fact that hers was cut short as an innocent victim of a reckless driver,” said Bell bluntly. An online tribute read, “Friends remember her constant and genuine caring and kindness. She always had a smile and built meaningful relationships by supporting and showing compassion for others. Beloved by her church community, her extended family, her co-workers and customers, Judy will be remembered for the bright light she shared with all of us.”

Jaramillo is survived by her husband, David, three children, Stephanie, Simon, and Sameria, and was looking forward to the birth of her first grandchild, due next month.

Bell suggests that anyone who would like to celebrate Jaramillo’s caring and giving personality make a memorial donation to their charity of choice.