Holly Vigil

Holly K. Vigil, 59, died suddenly and peacefully in her sleep, June 17, 2011, in the home she shared with her husband and son in Flagstaff. She was born Jan. 26, 1952, in Great Falls, Mont. She grew up in Trinidad, Colo., with her beloved "mom," Pacomia Espinoza, her paternal grandmother. She was part of a large extended family of brothers, sister and cousins.

After graduating from Trinidad Catholic High School in 1970, she attended the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1975, where she majored in biology. Because of her outstanding undergraduate work she was accepted into the University of Colorado Medical School where she excelled and graduated with honors in 1979. She performed her medical residency at Creighton University, St. Joseph's Hospital, and specialized in OB/GYN, she completed her residency in 1983. She passed her medical boards and became a Board Certified OB/GYN in 1985. After working in Gallup, N.M., and Montrose, Colo., for short periods, Dr. Vigil came to her beloved Flagstaff, where she settled permanently in 1986.

Dr. Vigil was the owner and founder of A Woman's Place, a caring haven where women could be cared for by women. She was a member of the Arizona Board of Medical Examiners from 1991-96. She was also a member of the Arizona Medical Association and Coconino County Medical Society. She was a founding member of both Baby Flagstaff and North Country Healthcare. She was a determined physician by any standard who advocated for women's health care rights and was admired, loved and respected by everyone she came in contact with or treated for more than 25 years. Dr. Vigil lived a full life, leaving a lasting legacy of care and service as a dedicated physician to the community that she so loved. She was a friend to many, a doctor to many more, and a devoted mother, wife and sister.

Dr. Vigil is survived by her husband of 40 years, William Hull; daughter Morgan; son Samuel; and brother Thomas Vigil of Fresno, Calif. She was preceded in death by her sister, Susan Sterman, Esq.

A memorial service will be Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Elks Lodge, 2101 N. San Francisco St.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Cottage, a sanctuary for abused women in Flagstaff.

Condolences can be sent directly to the family or through www.flagstaffmortuary.com.

Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary is handling arrangements.