Nora Gallegos

Nora Gallegos, born on September 6, 1939, to Max and Mercedes Martinez passed away peacefully the morning of January 8, 2021, in her home surrounded by her family in Alcalde, NM. 

Nora is preceded in death by her husband Sam Gallegos; parents Max and Mercedes Martinez; brothers Ben Martinez, Efrain (Angie) Martinez, Max Jr. (Evangeline) Martinez, and nephew Peter Martinez; sister Loyola Quintana; granddaughter Danielle Wilson; in-laws Alejandro and Josephina Gallegos; brother-in-law’s Raymond Gallegos, Feliberto Martinez and John Allen Gallegos; sisters-in-law’s Rose Gallegos, Sarah Gallegos, Valentina (Alfonso) Chacon, Jo-Jo (Sostenes) Sisneros; nieces and nephews Marcy Quintana, James Quintana, Tim Martinez, Mark Martinez, Pam Maestas, Marcos Martinez, Cip Martinez Jr., Jacob Salazar and many others. 

Nora is survived by her son Sam Gallegos Jr. (Angel) and daughter Lea Ortega (Mike); brothers Cipriano Martinez (Charlotte), Robert Martinez (Marcella); brother and sister-in-law’s Leo Quintana, Alice Martinez, Isabel Boyce, Alex Gallegos Jr. (Florence); grandchildren Katrina Wilson, Gabrielle Gallegos, Haley Ortega, Trinity Ortega, Christalle Martinez, Domonick Martinez, Andres Martinez and special grandchildren Hailey, Aiden, and Cameron Guinn; great-grandchildren Armando, Miguel, and soon to be Arielle and numerous nieces and nephews. Along with her lifelong pet companions Bonita and Chucky.

Nora was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. 

Nora was a graduate of Santa Cruz High School. She married Sam a year later with whom she raised two beautiful children. She reached many people’s lives from her days of being a substitute teacher to running Sam’s Place, and being an avid softball fan. Nora was the first one at the field and the last one to leave, for this reason, she was simply known as “Mom” to many. The best supporter one could ever know; she was there to cheer and listen to anyone who needed it. Do not let this fool you though, she did have a feisty side. To say the least, if you have gotten the pleasure of meeting her you have been blessed to have a life-long friend.

We would also like to offer a special thanks to the fine men and women at Rust Memorial Hospital in Rio Rancho for all they did during her recent stays there, along with the support provided to the family by the amazing people from Compassus Hospice Services, Theresa at Rivera Funeral Home along with Tammy “Bombsie”, Elizabeth “Bessie”, Mariah, Eddie and Stephanie Romero and Joseph and Lorie Martinez.

The holy rosary will be prayed for Nora on Monday January 18, 2021 at 10:30am in Alcalde at St. Annes church. The mass will begin thereafter the rosary. Please visit riverafamilyfuneralhome.com to share your memories, and condolnces with Mrs. Gallegos Family, and to check for updates.