Flora Gallegos

Our beloved mother and sister Flora M. Gallegos, 86 of Villanueva, NM passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on December 11, 2024. 

Flora was born on October 11, 1938, to the late Augustine Montoya and Mariquita Jiron. Flora made her home in Villanueva, NM where she raised seven children while attending college and working as a teacher aide with the West Las Vegas Schools. Flora graduated from Highlands University earning her master’s degree in education with a minor in Spanish eventually obtaining her Bilingual Endorsement which led to a new chapter in Santa Rosa, NM. 

Flora moved to Santa Rosa, NM in 1983 where she taught Title I Reading Program in Middle School and later taught at the Elementary school until her Retirement in 1999. Shortly after retirement Flora moved back to Villanueva, NM to be closer to family. 

Flora married Raynaldo Gallegos in 2006 at Our Lady of Guadalupe and eventually made her home in Vaughn, NM. Flora returned to Villanueva after the passing of her husband to reside with her daughter Sylvia Zamora and son-in-law Timothy “Jake” Zamora.

Flora was a devoted catholic and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Villanueva, NM, where she was a member of the Sacred Heart Society. Her passion was teaching and enjoyed being a catchiest teacher for many years. She was also a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vaughn, NM, where she was a member of the choir. 

Flora is preceded in death by her husband Raynaldo Gallegos; father of her children Louis Ortiz, Jr., her parents Augustine Montoya and Mariquita Jiron, her son Michael Ortiz and her great-grand children Christina, Mariana and Matthias Villanueva. Her brother Gilbert Montoya; sister’s Lela Aguilar, Nancy Lucero, Feliz Gallegos and Pauline Baca. Brother-in-laws; Florian Lucero, Jesus Aguilar and William Ortiz.

Flora is survived by her children James Ortiz (Donna), Elena Amaral (Steve), Debbie Quintana (Leonard), Sylvia Zamora (Jake), Patrick Ortiz (Lorraine) and Valerie Villanueva (Joseph); 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; she is also survived by her sisters Norella Ortiz, Rose Baros (Evaristo), brothers-in-law Benny Gallegos and Gabino Baca. God-children Palmyra Vigil, Nanette Martos, Leonard Montoya, Eric Montano and the late Louie Gonzales and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Flora loved spending time with her family and loved working on her diamond art paintings and going to the casino in her spare time. The family would like to thank Amber Care for their services, especially Ember and Jimmy.

There will be a viewing for family and friends from 1-6PM, with Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary at 6PM on December 19, 2024, at Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa, NM.

There will also be a viewing on Friday December 20, 2024, at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Villanueva, NM followed by Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11AM, with Father Vincent Dominguez officiating the service.

Flora will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery, Villanueva, NM. The following will serve as Pallbearers, Michael Andrew Ortiz, Eric Montano, Aaron Sena, Michael James Ortiz, Jacob Zamora, Robert Ortiz, Antonio Villanueva, Joseph Villanueva, Izaiah Ortiz and Florian Villanueva. Honorary Pallbearers include the following: Jessica Ortiz, Briana Montano, Ashley Montano and Mariquita Zamora.

Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St. Santa Rosa, NM, 88435. 575-472-3369.