Guadalupe "Flory" Tapia

Guadalupe (Flory) Tapia, a cherished sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend, passed away surrounded by family on October 27, 2025 in Las Vegas, NM at the age of 77. Born February 20, 1948 in Vaughn, NM, she was the daughter of Cipriano and Guadalupe (Peña) Tapia. She attended and graduated from Vaughn Municipal Schools and New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM, where she received her BA in History. Flory was a woman whose life was defined by dedication and unwavering devotion to her family and her community.

A proud graduate of Vaughn High School, Flory’s journey through life began in Vaughn where she cultivated a profound love for community engagement and hard work. This connection led her to a fulfilling career as a history teacher and championship coach until retirement in 1998. In addition, Flory was a school board member for Vaughn Municipal Schools as her loyalty to her profession was only shadowed by her commitment to her loved ones.

Flory’s dedication to her community was firm having served as an emergency medical technician for Vaughn EMS –Flory personified the values of family, service and community.

Though Flory’s life was filled with challenges, she always found joy in the simpler pleasures that life had to offer. Her love for family, close friends, bingo, casino and crossword puzzles, brough her solace and peace while her dogs provided companionship. She reveled in the affectionate company of her many family members and friends.

Flory is survived by her siblings, Lilia, and husband Tony Gallegos of Vaughn, NM, Cipriano (Sonny) Tapia, Jr. of Pueblo, CO, George Cordova of Ute, NM, her aunt; Carmen Drager of Topeka, KS, her nephew who she raised; Luis Castillo of Cleveland, NM and many, many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, in which she played an instrumental role in their lives, and her life-time friend; Amy Luna Lucero.

She is preceded in death by her beloved parents; Cipriano, Sr. and Guadalupe Tapia, sister; Erlinda (Linda) Castillo and husband; Lorenzo Castillo and brother; Dennis Tapia—all of Vaughn. Their memories will now shine brightly in her everlasting spirit.

Services for Flory will be Monday, November 3, 2025 beginning at 10AM with the Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary, immediately followed by the Mass of Christian Burial, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vaughn, with Father Timothy Meurer celebrating the service.

Interment of cremains will follow at Evergreen Cemetery with Naomi Franco, Ramon Tapia, Jr., Stephanie Tapia, Adrian Apodaca, Gerald Mora, Jr., Leanza Martinez, Isaiah Gallegos and Joshua Sullivan serving as Urn Bearers. Flory’s many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and cousins will serve as Honorary Urn Bearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that a donation be made to a charity of your choosing.

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