DOLORES VALENTINA Was called home to Our Lord on May 11, 2012. She was in her own home in Springer, New Mexico and was with family when she passed. Mom was born to Adela (Martinez) and Doroteo Duran near Hoehne, Colorado on March 1, 1930. Grandpa Doroteo passed away several months before Mom was born, leaving Mom - along with her sister, Sadie and brothers, Max and Doroteo - to help their widowed mother and her brother - their Uncle Ramon Martinez - run the family farm and take care of Grandfather Fernando Martinez. Mom was born and raised a farm girl and was always proud of those roots in Hoehne. Mom lived in Denver, Colorado after graduating from Hoehne High School, where she served as secretary to Monsignor John Ebel, a writer/editor at the Catholic Register. Monsignor Ebel united Mom and Dad - Carlos Gutierrez - in Holy Matrimony in Trinidad, Colorado on August 25, 1956. Mom and Dad lived their entire married life in Springer, New Mexico. They were truly partners in life, home and business. Together, they successfully ran the GLAD Youth Center, Zia Theatre, and both continued to run the Tribune Press printing shop which will continue to keep dad busy. For many years, they also farmed acreage and raised horses and cattle in the French Tract just northwest of Springer. Even though Dad was born and raised in Springer, he was a city boy compared to mom's knowledge of farming. She quickly taught him how to irrigate the field and tend to the animals. Mom was a life-long New York Yankees fan and also an avid follower of tennis. She was thrilled when she was able to travel to New York while in her late 70's to see the original Yankee Stadium before it was demolished, and also to watch some professional tennis games at the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Mom was preceded in death by her father, Doroteo; her mother, Adela; her brothers Max and Doroteo; and her infant daughter, Eloisa Kay. She is survived by her husband and friend of almost 56 years, Carlos Gutierrez; her daughters: Mary Grace Smigiel (husband Fred and children Fred and Jessica); Marie Adele Baca (husband Phil and sons Carlos, Antonio "AJ", and Juan); Lorraine Gutierrez (daughter Latasha "Tasha"); Dolores Gutierrez (grandcats Mike and Charlie); and Nancy Suazo (husband Toby and children Amadeo, Joaquin, and Olivia). She is also survived by her sister Sadie and her husband Felix; sister in law Rose; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and family members. There are so many friends and family who honored our wonderful mother with help and support, prayers, visits, food, and best of all - love - during this difficult time; we are forever grateful and will keep all of you in our prayers. We would especially like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Loretta Conder and the tremendous staff at Miners Colfax Medical Center for the compassionate care provided to our Mom during her illness and also, for allowing us to remain with mom in the hospital while she was a patient there. We had so much more quality time with Mom due to your efforts and your support of a cohesive family-health care partnership. Since before they were married, Dad's song for Mom was I'll String Along With You: "You may not be an angel; 'cause angels are so few But until the day that one comes along; I'll string along with you." Now, dad has his angel and she will forever watch over us all. Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012 and the Funeral Mass will be held Friday, May 18, 2012 at 10:30 am. Both will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Springer, New Mexico. Private interment will be at a later date. Mom asked that donations be made to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church Building Improvement Fund, P.O. Box 516, Springer, New Mexico 87747. Mom was actively involved in this project until she became too ill to continue. Thank you for being our mom and our role model. We will miss you immensely. With our deepest love and gratitude, Gracie, Marie, Rainy, Dode, and Nancy.
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