Sometimes in life there are losses that are felt so deeply their impact ripples through entire communities, the death of Councilor Yvette Padilla is one such loss. Yvette served the people of Belen with dedication, honor, and a smile that lit up every room she ever entered.
She began her long career of public service with the City back in 1985 with the Belen Public Library. Over the years she would work as an Administration Clerk, a Dispatcher for the Police Department, work with the RSVP program as an Aide and Bus Driver, a Judicial Clerk, Court Administrator, and finally Alternate Judge in 2002 where she served until her retirement in 2014.
These many years of career service weren’t all that Yvette gave to the City, she also served as a Volunteer Fire Fighter for many years and as a City Councilor after being appointed by Mayor Robert Noblin in January of 2022.
The loss of Councilor Padilla leaves so many people mourning the passing of not just someone who was wonderful to work with but someone who they could truly call a friend.
Our thoughts and our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Yvette. As a community, we come together to support you during this time of grief.
You can view Councilor Padilla’s obituary here and a beautiful article in the Valencia County News-Bulletin here. The services will be Friday, December 16th with visitation from 8:30am – 9:00am, Funeral Mass from 10am – 11am both at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, and the Inurment from 11am to 12pm at Our Lady of Belen Cemetery.
All City of Belen offices will be closed from 8:30am to 11am on Friday, December 16th to allow our staff members to attend services.