Search Results

GALLEGOS -- Josephine Ortiz Gallegos. Our mother passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2010, at her home. Her son Rudy who took care of her was with her when she passed. Daughter of Leopoldo Marques Ortiz and his wife Cecelia Valdez, born on September 26, 1918 in Santa Fe. Her husband Refugio preceded her in death in 1975. He was born in Mora, NM. They were married in 1937 in Santa Fe. Her son Ray Jr. also passed in 2009. She had seven brothers and sisters. Her brothers, Ernesto, Tony and Daniel all of Santa Fe, also preceded her in death. She recently lost her sister Dolores O. Salazar of Albuquerque. She leaves a sister Lupe Martinez of West Jordan, UT; and a brother Joe who lives in Santa Fe Springs, CA. Our mother and father had six children, Edwina Lunney of Butte, MT, Leo of Las Vegas, NV, Rudy, Irene Parker, and Ugene all of Albuquerque. She has many grandchildren; and great-grandchildren; and also many nephews and nieces through out the United States. Our father was a minor and worked for many different companies. Our father was in a mining accident and the family moved to Albuquerque in 1957. Our mother had many interests, she loved to gamble and made many trips to Las Vegas, she however spent most of her time at one of the many casinos in the Albuquerque area. She was quite lucky. She loved Hollywood musical movies, and like her sister Dolores and brother Daniel, enjoyed the novellas on the many Spanish stations in Albuquerque. Our mother was well read and on numerous occasions brought to our attention information on business and other events that we had yet to be aware of. She was a homemaker for most of her life, and later in her life was involved in the whole sale business of selling all types of shoes. Our mother taught us to be independent and as a result of her entrepreneurial spirit, it was caught by all six of her children who all came to have their own business and that spirit has been passed on to many of her grandchildren. The first Ortiz came from Jerez De La Frontera, Spain. Arriving in what is now Santa Barbara, Mexico from there the first colonists to settle in what was then called New Spain. They were led by Onate in 1598, and walked 700 miles, there were 600 in all, from all parts of Spain, their final destination, Santa Fe. Our mother traveled through out Spain in her 70's, she saw many beautiful sites, such as the Cathedral of Compestela, built around 1075, the site of pilgrimages to the Apostle's Tomb. She also traveled to South America and the East Coast and had recently gone on her first cruise. Our mother was much loved by her extended family and she will be missed, we will always have her memories and that help's soften our grief at losing her. Mother, we love you and thank you for the love that you have given us. God bless you and rest in peace. For information contact Leo Gallegos 661-244-7047
        Published on: Wed October 27, 2010