Victoria Lerma

Victoria Peña Lerma

April 23, 1929 – August 20, 2026

Vctoria Pena Lerma went to her eternal rest on August 20, 2026. She was born April 23, 1929 in El Paso, Texas to Manuel and Marcelina Pena.

In 1955 there were very few Hispanics working for CWA (Communication Workers of America). On 1/13/55 mom was one of the first Hispanic female switchboard long distance telephone operator to work for CWA in El Paso. It was known at that time as Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company. Founded in 1911. At that time, it operated across the Rocky Mountain and Intermountain West. It became part of the nationwide Bell System before being spun off in 1984. It was Mountain Bell, Southwestern Bell, El Paso Bell, now known as AT & T

She was very involved in her career; she became part of the Supervisory Committee for the Credit Union which was El Paso Bell Federal Credit Union. She became part of the El Paso / Mountain/Southwestern Pioneers, who were retired employees of the phone company.

She had a long career with AT&T and retired 37 years later. She took care of our dad when he got sick and was with him every step of the way until his death in 2007. They were married 51 years.

She loved her family grandchildren and great children

Beloved mother, she is survived by her daughters, Patricia Saenz; her husband Mario, Nora Benskin; her husband Steve, Martha Kay (Katy) Medina, two grandchildren Armando Diaz III and his wife Jessica, Samantha Rodriguez; her husband Andres Flores and two great grandchildren; Ava Gabriela Diaz and Armando Diaz IV, her brother Joe Pena and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was a great mother, dedicated to her family. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her

Visitation will be September 3, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Sunset Funeral Home, 750 N. Carolina. Mass with be at 1:15 pm at St Pius Catholic Church. Interment will be a 2:30 pm, Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Pall Bearers will be Mario Saenz, Steve Benskin, Armando Diaz III, Andres Flores, Armando Diaz IV and Sam Vasquez.

Our family would like to recognize L & S Foster Home, our two wonderful Angels who took such great care of our mom. Lauro Gaytan and Sergio Jayme gave our mom such caring excellent care. We think that's why she lived as long as she did. They treated her like a princess, like their own mother.

For those of you who knew our mother, she was the fashionista of her time. Sergio and Lauro bought her everything they thought she wanted or needed. They bought the prettiest clothes, jewelry, and makeup, all of which she loved. They always had her dressed as if she was going out to a party. These two gentlemen made sure she was dressed to the T.

Lauro and Sergio will be forever in our hearts, definitely going to heaven.

Services are entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home- East, 750 N Carolina Dr., El Paso, Texas 79915