In tribute: Amy Armenta artist and award-winning quilter

The first words that come to people when you mention Amelia "Amy" Armenta are usually "kind," then "cheerful" and "helpful."

Armenta, who died on July 8 at age 86, was an artist, a teacher and a person who was willing to help in any way necessary, according to those who knew her.

Even those who said they did not know her well knew these basics about her.

"Her legacy is going to be wonderful," said Lee Ellen Phipps, who participated in craft classes that Armenta taught. "She was known for her kindness and her outlook on life."

Cindy Boney, an administrative assist at the New Mexico State University Agricultural Extension office in Clovis, said she did not know Armenta well, but remembered her as a "wonderful lady, outgoing and helpful."

 In her creative life, Armenta worked in quilting, painting and stained glass.

Her quilts won many awards, and she served as a judge for quilting competitions in New Mexico and Texas.

A story in The News about her stained glass efforts noted her work had been sold to galleries in Santa Fe, and that she had to turn down an opportunity to do stained glass windows for a local church because she did not have enough workspace in her home.

She began her serious creative work after retiring as an accountant for The Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Cannon Air Force Base for many years. She picked up a degree in Fine Arts from Eastern New Mexico University.

Armenta then joined a Crafts Extension Club, sponsored by the Clovis Agricultural Extension Office of New Mexico State University.

Thus began her 23-year association with Glenda Belcher, a home economist with the extension service.

"She was the most upbeat, loving, generous lady I've ever known," Belcher said, and she loved being wife to her husband, Rodolfo, to whom she was married for 65 years.

Belcher said Armenta devoted a lot of time to quilt shows, and donated "time and expertise" as a teacher of sewing and quilting, and stained glass skills.

In addition, Belcher said, Armenta sat on her Home Economics Advisory Committee and "any committee I asked her to serve on."

Belcher remembered that Armenta was also involved with other clubs.

"She was always active and busy," Belcher said.

Mostly, though, Belcher said, Armenta was "kind, loving and always happy."

"She had the happiest personality," Belcher said, "and she never complained about anything."

Armenta was also dedicated, Belcher said.

"She gave everything she had to make everything work," Belcher said.

Armenta, she said, was a multi-talented artist, and a teacher in many areas.

She summarized Armenta this way:

"She was a leader."