JoAnn Mares was raised by her grandmother Louise Padilla, who she lovingly called Grandma Padilla. Their home at 333 West Manhattan was more than just a house, it was the center of JoAnn's childhood and the heart of her family. Her earlist and most cherished memory was from her First Communion. Louise woke up early to help JoAnn get ready; doing her hair, and helping her into a beautiful white dress and veil, that Louise had lovingly saved up for. That moment made JoAnn feel truly seen and deeply loved.
Raised at 333 West Manhattan
Life at the house
After JoAnn's grandfather Oliver passed in 1963, the home remained full of life. Louise cared for JoAnn, her older brothers Joey and Lenard, her younger siblings Robert, Bernadette, and Johnny, and even Cosme Barella, Louise's cousin, who lived in the small casita on the property. Cosme didn't speak English, but he always under stood what kids where saying to him. He always watched over the kids and made them feel safe. JoAnn remembers the house being loud, loving, and full of personality.
The house was small and crowded, and there was not a lot of privacy. The kids where always fighting for the bathroom but when it it was time for family dinner there was no fighting, everyone would sit down together, the whole family was at the at the table, and have a great time together. JoAnn never felt unloved. It was chaotic sometimes, but there was always food, always care, always family. The house was always filled with the smell of Louise's homemade tortillas.
Favorite Spots in the House
JoAnn's favorite place in the house was her bedroom, where she kept her dolls tucked under the bed. Whenever she just wanted to be alone she pulled out her dolls and was able to play by herself. But the kitchen was where the real magic happened, she loved to watch her grandma cook, she'd watch Louise roll out tortillas, ask her questions about how she makes everything. JoAnn would try to help her granmda and she loved making tortillas even if they didn't come out right. She would soak up every bit of her grandmas warmth.
Traditions and Birthdays
Holidays were joyful, but birthdays were alwyas special traditions to Louise. Louise would make the birthday person a special meal anything they wanted, but only they would get the special meal and everyone else would eat somthing else. Louise would ask weeks in advance what meal they wanted for there birthday dinner, so she could'd save up and make that dish with care. For JoAnn, it was always steak, baked potatoes, and salad. Those birthday dinners made her feel incredibly special, like she mattered most in the world.
Louise Padilla
Louise was not just a great mother and gradmother, she was a teacher of life. She taught JoAnn to always respect her elders, to treat people the way she wanted to be treated, and that how you act reflects how you were raised. These lessons shaped JoAnn's values and are ones she passed on to her own children and grandchildren.
Being raised by Louise was the greatest gift. "I never went without a home, without food, or without love,"" JoAnn said. Louise gave her time, energy, and unconditional love. She walked with JoAnn, talked with her, and listened. JoAnn's favorite memories with her granmda where when they would have thier special time together, and Louise would tell stories about her life growing up. Louise always made time to her and made her feel valued in a way no one else ever could.
Downtown Santa Fe Memories
Growing up JoAnn loved being close to downtown santa fe, she was only a five minute walk from the plaza. Her and Louise would go to every events, they would walk the perssions and watch the parades. They'd always sit at the Governor's Place to watch the parades. Her grandma would always stay in her seat while JoAnn would go play at the parkm and every couple minutes she would to make sure her grandma was still there, even though she knew she would never move. JoAnn has unforgetable memories at the Governor's Place.
She remembers walking with Louise all over dowtown, Louise would always stop at Woolworths to get a frito pie. They would go and sit on the neches in the plaza, people-watch, and talk. They would walk to many places like the Guadalupe Church, the cathedral, Dairy Queen, and La Fonda , creating traditions and unforgettable memories.
JoAnn's faortive things
JoAnn loved playing sports with her siblings and kids from the neighborhood. They played football and kickball. She also loved playing hide-and-seek around the town. Louise would always sit outside while they played and watch them. JoAnn also loved riding through town and laugh with her friends. At night, she and Louise would lay outside under the stars and imagine shapes in the sky. Even into her teens, those moments stayed with her. "She was always there," JoAnn said, "even when I didn't realize how much I needed her." To this day laying under the stars is still on of her most cherished memories.
Louise Padilla and Politics
Louise was passionate about Politics and helping running candidates. On election days, she'd pick people up and drive them to the polls, no matter their politics.
JoAnn once asked her, "why are you taking these people to vote if you don't know if they are going to vote for the person you want them to." Louise responce to this was,
"I am giving these people a chance to have an option and a voice, beacuse if they dont vote they shoudn't hve an opinion if the sysytem is going wrong. This way if they
vote they have an opinion."
Louise was a Republican for the longest time, until her son Richard ran for judge. Louise changed her part affiliationnjust so she could vote for her son.
Their Special Bond
The bond between Louise and JoAnn was unshakable. JoAnn said, "She was the love of my life and my best freind. she Loved me unconditionally, and never turened her bacl on me. When I needed her she was there and when she needed me I was there." Louise later helped raise JoAnn's kids and poured her love into them too. Once JoAnn asked, "Why do you love my kids more than me?" and Louise answered, "Because they are your kids and I already gave you all the love I could, now I give it to them."
Letting Go of the House
When Louise passed, she had eight kids and in her will had asked her son Richard, who was the power of attorney, to sell the house and share the money with among her children. She also staded that since she raised JoAnn she was considered one of her kids and the money also had to be split with her. Losing the house was incredibly painful knowing she wouldn't be able to walk in the house having Louise greet her, and she woudn't be able to walk around the house with all the memories. "I missed the smell, the warmth, the love... but mostly, I missed her," JoAnn said.
For Future Generations
JoAnn hopes the future generations remember the people who grew up at the house and all of their accomplishments and thier love. She wants everyone to remember Louise's love and strength. She opened her door to anyone in need, made sure they had a meal, and always treated people with love and kindness. The love and warmth of the house and the people who lived there. The home on 333 West Manhatten was built from the love inside.
Louise's teachings:
- "Treat people the way you want to be treated."
- "Respect your elders, they're very important."
- "If you don't respect others, you don't respect yourself."
- "Always treat people with love and kindness."
If JoAnn Could Talk to the House...
"Always keep your door open and welcome anyone who knocks.""