Margaret Vigil, who many of you knew by the name of Margaret Gomez, was a leader in the compliance community. She put integrity first in everything she did and had a heart as big as the ocean. I profoundly miss her and I know that all of those who knew her feel the same way. One of the best things Margaret did was to introduce her daughter Ronda to us and to the endeavor of compliance. Because of this, I feel that Margaret’s great spirit will continue to be part of our endeavor. We were blessed to have Margaret as part of our circle of friends and colleagues and wish her family the best.

Margaret Yvette Vigil, born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away suddenly at UCSD Hospital in Hillcrest, California early on Sunday, May 31st.

Margaret lived her formative years in New Mexico, where she attended Lincoln High School, and New Mexico Tech. As a child Margaret was a bright student with a zest for life, entertaining family and friends with her powerful voice and theatrical antics.

In 1986 Margaret was married to Ronald Gomez, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Following the birth of their first child, Ronda Yvette Gomez, in 1986 the couple moved to Alhambra, California where Margaret worked for a local hospital. Madeline Cecilia Gomez, the couple’s second daughter was born there in 1989.

Over the next fourteen years they lived in Fresno, Paso Robles, and finally El Centro, California where Margaret worked at medical centers and hospitals in Health Information. Margaret obtained multiple healthcare certifications, including: Registered Health Information Technologist, Certified Performance Improvement, Certified Medical Staff Officer, Basic Tumor Registry, and most recently became a Certified Compliance Executive. Margaret was currently Senior Director of Special Projects/Compliance Officer at El Centro Regional Medical Center, where she was also involved in spearheading employee activities through the Rewards and Recognition Committee. In recognition of her true dedication throughout her industry, she was nominated as the 2009 National Hispanic Business Woman of the Year.

Margaret was a woman of great faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. She enjoyed cooking and good food shared with good friends. An accomplished musician, Margaret loved to sing, most memorably her signature song “Crazy”, originally performed by Patsy Cline. A strong dancer, Margaret especially enjoyed salsa and disco dancing. Margaret was always much admired on how well she dressed and presented herself. She was an overwhelmingly positive person, a dedicated and loving mother, and a true friend to many. Margaret was a woman of great integrity and tremendous depth of character, and was a force for good in the lives of everyone she met.

Margaret will be very much missed by her loving daughters, Ronda and Madeline Gomez, and her many family members and friends. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Alfonso Milton Vigil and Celia Lovato-Eiler. She is survived by her two daughters, Ronda and Madeline Gomez, ex-husband Ronald Gomez; sisters Patricia Appel, Barbara Castro, Sandra Alarcon; brothers Alfonso Vigil, Daniel Payne, Michael Payne; many cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members.

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