Kirsten Apodaca, 69, known for fashion, beauty [El Paso Times, Texas]

Aug. 16--Guestbook: Offer condolences to friends and family

Anyone who ever met Kirsten "Kris" Apodaca was left with a lasting impression because of her stunning beauty and kindness, family and friends said.

The slender and stylish business owner of Goody Too Shoes, who lived to serve her community, died on Monday. She was 69.

Family members said that since her heart attack in January, her health had deteriorated.

"She was the glue that kept her family together in good and bad times," Michelle Apodaca wrote in an obituary about her mother. "And (she) was always prepared for any situation that might arise."

Kris Apodaca, the wife of Victor Apodaca, owner of Apodaca Bail Bonds, was known as El Paso's own Kim Novak because of her beauty and exquisite sense of fashion, family and friends said.

"Anyone that ever saw her would remember her," said her friend Nono Altura, owner of Nono's Fashion. "She was really the most beautiful woman in town. She was gorgeous and had beautiful blond hair, was vivacious and was the shining star of El Paso."

Her passion to serve the community was demonstrated in her philanthropic activities such as the Texas Sesquicentennial Ball, the YWCA and other charitable causes.

During the holidays she kept her door open to

people in need, said her son, Victor Trae Apodaca III, former owner of Cafe Central.

"I would always ask her who was coming for dinner," said Trae Apodaca. "And she would always respond, 'You never know; there is always someone in need of a warm meal, and I always have my table set for them.' "

Along with her kindness, Kris Apodaca shared her sense of fashion with others when she opened her high-end women's boutique, Goody Too Shoes, in 1975.

During an El Paso Times interview, Kris Apodaca said she wanted to open the shop to offer the women of El Paso a place to buy shoes they would otherwise buy out of town.

"It really has bothered me all these years when women would say they had to shop away from El Paso to get the right handbags and shoes for their outfits," Kris Apodaca said. "That simply isn't true anymore. I have it right here, and if I don't have it, I'll get it."

Her sense of fashion affected everything she touched, family members said.

"She was always reading Vogue and going to the market," said Trae Apodaca. "She always had a keen sense of fashion and had everything together. She passed that fashion sense on to me and my sister, and I tell you I'm nervous about picking out the right color shirt and tie for her service."

She was born in St. Louis on Jan. 26, 1943, and moved to the El Paso area while in elementary school.

After graduating from Burges High School in 1956, she decided to pursue a career in modeling and moved to New York City. It was her father's failinghealth that brought her back a few years later.

While settling back in El Paso, she and her husband worked with potential foster parents and raised money to build the El Paso Juvenile Detention Center. Family members called her the ultimate volunteer.

"She taught us to help and give back to anyone that needed it," said Michelle Apodaca. "She was there for everyone -- adults and children -- that needed some TLC and a loving home. She didn't judge."

Kris Apodaca is survived by her husband, Victor, and her children, Michelle "Missy" Apodaca, Trae Apodaca and North Carolina state Sen. Tom Apodaca, and her dogs Charlie and Cheech.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Martin Funeral Home, 128 N. Resler.

Because of her love for dogs, the Apodaca family requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Humane Society of El Paso, 4991 Fred Wilson.

Alex Hinojosa may be reached at ahinojosa@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.

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