Helen Montoya

Helen S. Montoya was born June 3, 1933, to her father Henry Salazar and mother Adelaida Salazar. Helen went to be with our Heavenly Father on February 1, 2022, at the age of 88.  Helen was a caring and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, and aunt.  She treasured her children, their families and especially her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all.   

Helen was preceded in death by her husband John P. Montoya; brother, Gilbert Salazar; sisters, Lucille Whitehead, Isabel Vigil, Sr. Marie Bernarde Salazar and most recently passing hours apart, brother David Salazar. 

Helen was an Office Manager where she worked for 41 years side by side with her husband in their family-owned business Montoya and Associates, Inc. Throughout the years, they gained much respect and many loyal clients and friends, which they cherished.

Helen is survived by her daughters, Bernadette Gonzales (husband Steve); Angela Valdez (husband Jerome); Annette McCurdy (husband Tim); sons, John T. Montoya (wife Noema), and Andrew Montoya.  She is also survived by her brothers, Henry (wife Viola) Salazar; Tony Salazar; Richard (wife Mary) Salazar; sister, Priscilla Medina (husband Tony Romero); and Loyola Salazar. She has 10 grandchildren, Steven, Michael, and Kathleen Gonzales, Johnelle Montoya (husband Jonah Ruybalid) and Thomas Montoya, Brennan and Norissa Valdez, Kevin (wife Sara) McCurdy, Katrina (husband Andy) Maksimowski and Kurtis McCurdy.

Rosary will be held on Friday, February 18, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. with Mass to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Santa Cruz. The Interment will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on February 22, 2022, at 9:45 AM. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, face masks will be required. 

The family of Helen S. Montoya would like to especially thank Agatha “Aggie” Salazar for the love and care she provided to Helen over the last 4 years.

The family of beloved Helen has entrusted Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola for her care. We invite you to post a condolence, a thoughtful message, a photograph or share a memory for our families to read on the guestbooks.