Valeria Gonzales

Valeria Gonzales, 80, formerly of Vaughn, NM passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on November 5, 2021 in Santa Fe, NM. Valeria was born on February 19, 1941 in Fort Sumner, NM to Rosauro and Ines (Martinez) Gauna. She was raised in Vaughn, where she also attended school. Valeria married Erminio Gonzales on June 27, 1959 in Vaughn. She worked for the Vaughn Municipal Schools, retiring after many years of service to the district. While living in Vaughn, Valeria was a parishioner at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, and more recently a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Las Vegas, NM. Some of her hobbies included: cooking, playing bingo, walking, camping and dancing. However, Valeria’s greatest joy came from the time she spent with her family, as she was a “great Mom, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and sister”. Valeria is preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Erminio Gonzales, her brothers: Tano Gauna and Tony Gauna and brother and sister-in-law: Joe and Stella Perea. Valeria is survived by her daughter: Agnes Valencia and husband: Ricardo of Anton Chico, and her son: Thomas Gonzales and wife: Lillian of Pastura, her three grandchildren: Valeria Romero and husband: Clarence, Tomas Gonzales and wife: Samantha and Joaquin and wife: Alyssa, her six great-grandchildren: Jacquelyn, Madilyn, Juliet, Joaquin, II, Tomas, III and Jacob, her sisters: Rosie Marino, Carmel (Clyde) Hart, her brothers: Lucio (Connie) Gauna, Charlie (Ramona) Gauna and Joe (Florinda) Gauna, and her sisters-in-law: Juanita Archibeque and Elva Martinez, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, family, relatives and friends. Visitation will be from 2-6pm on Monday, November 8, 2021 at Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa. Visitation and services will be at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Vaughn, on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, from 9-10am. Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary will begin at 10am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Father Timothy Meurer. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Vaughn, with Valerie Romero, Tomas Gonzales, Joaquin Gonzales, Charlie Gauna, Lucio Gauna and Joe Gauna serving as Pallbearers. “A mother who cared, was always there, always prayed for us: Thank you God for blessing us with a great Mom”. Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435. 575-472-3369. To place an online condolence or tribute, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.