Patricia Christine Aguilar

Patricia C. Aguilar was born April 19, 1943, in Atlantic City, New Jersey to the late Robert Lamb Sr and Marie (Murray) Lamb. She passed away peacefully at the age of 81 on September 6, 2024, surrounded by those who loved her most.

Patricia received her early education in Atlantic City and moved to Philadelphia where she graduated 7th in her class from German Town High. She continued her education through studies at Delaware State University and Cheney State University. In 1973 she graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in History and Political Science. In 1974 she began her teaching career at El Paso Community College at the old Ft. Bliss barracks. She went on to teach at UTEP in the history department, later returning to EPCC where she became an associate Professor of History. She was an educator for over 25 years, retiring in 2011. Many of her students went on to become successful professionals. That was one of her proudest accomplishments.

Patricia was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Blacks in Government, NAACP, and the Order of Eastern Star. She was the recipient of many awards including a leadership award from the NAACP. She received special notice for her work with then Democratic Congressman Ron Coleman. She received the Virginia Rankin Scholarship and many scholarships throughout her educational career. She was selected as educator of the week by The El Paso Post and remained an active member of the community until her retirement.

In 1964 she married her childhood sweetheart the late Don D. Aguilar Sr. Their loving 35-year marriage blessed them with two children, daughter Dana and son Don II. In 1967 Don’s military service brought him to Ft. Bliss where he was stationed for two years. In 1969 they PCS’d to a base in Germany and later returned to Ft. Bliss where he finished out his military service.

Her greatest joy in life was becoming a grandmother and great grandmother. She was devoted to making each of them feel special and loved. She supported them through many challenges and celebrated their many accomplishments.

Patricia was a proud cancer warrior and survivor. She loved to travel and enjoyed many trips abroad with her baby sister LaRue. She was an avid reader, a music enthusiast and loved to shop, shop, shop. She was an amazing dancer and was always the life of the party. She touched the lives of so many people in her 81 years of life and she will be greatly missed by all. 

Patricia is survived by her daughter Dana Aguilar, son Don D. Aguilar II, daughter-in-law Rose Aguilar, sister LaRue Lamb, brother-in law Delmar Hill, bonus daughter Cynthia Aguilar, granddaughters Maya Aguilar, Hailey and Alessa Aguilar, great grandson Giovanni Diego Aguilar, bonus grand sons Marco and Johnathan Estrada, niece Theresa Hunter, bonus brother Sidney Calloway, bonus son Thomas Leyba, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by husband Don D. Aguilar Sr and grandson Don Diego Aguilar III.

Special acknowledgements:

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude and appreciation to Sidney Calloway, Delma Contreras, Elizabeth Marsh, Bernadette Grene, Pamela Contreras-Almodovar, Delma Prieto, Bertha Martinez, and Mary Ellen Howard for all their kindness and support over the years.

 Visitation will begin at 12:00pm with a Funeral Service to be held at 1:00pm on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Home - Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass Dr. Committal Service to follow at 2:30pm on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave.