Sofia F. (Martinez) McGough, 95, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025, surrounded by her family. Sofia was born on December 3, 1929, in Madrid, New Mexico, the third of sixteen children of Jesus M. Martinez and Angela (Roman) Martinez, immigrants from Mexico. When she was 3 years old, her family moved to the Martineztown neighborhood of Albuquerque, just a few blocks away from the Albuquerque Public Library where a librarian taught Sofia how to read before she attended school.

Education was a cornerstone of Sofia’s life. She learned the strong need for education from her father, who walked the children to the library every evening after dinner to do their homework. He often reminded his children, “Get a good education so you don’t have to work like a burro as I do.” She began her education speaking only Spanish, yet she excelled quickly and graduated salutatorian at Albuquerque High School—a remarkable achievement for a minority female in the 1940s. As a young woman, she worked hard to help contribute to her family during the Great Depression, waiting tables after school and serving meals at nearby St. Joseph’s Hospital. It was at this hospital that doctors encouraged Sofia to seek out top nursing schools across the country. She would pursue her dream of becoming a nurse, paying her own way through nursing school at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia from 1947 to 1950.

Her calling to serve others led her to the United States Air Force, where she enlisted in 1951 in solidarity with her younger brother as war was erupting across Korea. She was stationed in Arizona, Japan, and Korea, where she cared for wounded soldiers from the Korean War, showing bravery and compassion in the face of hardship. After returning stateside to Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, she reenlisted to get an assignment at Burtonwood Air Force Base in Warrington, England where she became a Captain. During her leave, she enjoyed experiencing the different cultures across Europe by visiting museums, concerts, and the theatre. While at Burtonwood, she met a fellow Air Force officer, Eugene ‘Gene’ R. McGough, who would become the love of her life. After they returned from England, Gene moved across the country from Pennsylvania to New Mexico to court Sofia. They were married on July 5, 1958, in Albuquerque, and together they raised 6 children and built a marriage of sixty-three years in Carlsbad, NM, marked by devotion, respect, and kindness. Often, before bed, they would exchange a Hershey’s chocolate kiss and a glass of their special blend of wine—a simple tradition that spoke volumes about their enduring affection and companionship.

After her military service, Sofia returned home to New Mexico. She worked for the Eddy County Health Department before transferring to the Carlsbad Public Schools and dedicating her career to the health and wellbeing of children as an elementary school nurse. During her twenty years with the public schools, she was appointed to a New Mexico State Steering Committee for school nurses. Her office was a sanctuary of care, where scraped knees were tended and anxious hearts were soothed. Her nurturing presence created a safe and welcoming environment where students felt supported not only physically, but emotionally. Colleagues and families alike remember Sofia as a steadfast advocate for student health, always going the extra mile to ensure that every child received the attention and care they needed. She was more than a nurse; she was a trusted friend and mentor to generations of students and staff.

Her home was a place of learning, laughter, and love. Even the simplest chores felt special when done with her. Memories of picking pecans by the bucket, pulling up what felt like thousands of weeds, and planting iris are shared across the generations of children. Sofia always had an open ear and deep insights that she shared with her children and grandchildren over a cup of hot tea. She lived her values quietly but powerfully—teaching by example rather than with words. She valued fairness, equal rights, and the fine arts. Sofia’s faith in God was the foundation of her life. Her family remembers her tears during mealtime prayers, not as sadness, but as appreciation overflowing from her heart. She regularly attended Mass at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, where she proudly sat behind the choir as Gene set up equipment, sang, and played the guitar.

She completed her bachelor’s degree from UNM while caring for her children and continued with her education into her 80’s by attending seminars alongside her sisters to keep their minds engaged. Her love for learning never waned; She was an avid reader and taught her family that learning never stops, and that doing your best matters. She was a supporter of the humanities, conservation and the arts. Sofia appreciated culture, music, and the beauty of nature. She believed deeply in fairness and equal rights for women and minorities. Her family and her heritage were a source of pride and joy for her.

Sofia was a woman of humble beginnings who lived with compassion, strength, and integrity. She built a life of service, love, faith, and steady acts of care and kindness that shaped the lives of others. Her lessons were simple but profound; treat others with kindness and appreciate the simple joys of life. She leaves behind memories rooted in love, gratitude, and routine — memories that will continue to inspire and guide generations to come.

Sofia was preceded in death by her parents, ten siblings, her husband Eugene Sr., her son Eugene Jr., and three grandsons—Lucas C., Eric W., and Robert M. McGough. She is survived by her children Francisca

Jackson (Kevin) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Joseph (Penney) of Tierra Verde, Florida; Teresa Gadbury

(Donald “Casey”) of Carlsbad; Andrew (Lisa) of Katy, Texas; and John of Carlsbad; siblings Maria

Martinez, Laura Martinez, Margaret Siemel (Sasha), Antonio J. Martinez of Albuquerque, and Alicia Barber (James) of Cuyamungue; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be recited at French Funerals (7121 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque) on Sunday, January 18,

2026, at 4:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at San Ignacio Catholic Church (1300 Walter

Street, NE) at 10:00 am on Monday, January 19. Interment will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Albuquerque at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 20. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Ryan McGough, David Matthew Gomez, Craig Jackson, Steven Gomez, Kent Jackson, Logan Jackson, and Blake Gadbury.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Sofia’s honor to New Mexico PBS (NewMexicoPBS.org/support/donate) or to the Smile Train Foundation (smiletrain.org), reflecting her compassion and love of learning.