Obituaries

Nilda E. Coe

1949-2019

Nilda E. Coe, age 69, a resident of Rio Communities, passed away on July 30, 2019.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tiburcio and Rosina (Luz) Chavez; brothers, Preciliano, Simon, Arthur, Frank and Tibo Jr. Chavez; sisters, Gregorita Chavez and Mary Helen Cordova; brother-in-law, Rudy Cordova; sisters-in-law, Nica and Nellie Chavez.

Nilda is survived by her husband of 25 years, Ronald Coe; son, Danny (Shawndai) Sedillo; stepsons, Shane (Suzanne) Coe and Brian (Lauren) Coe; grandchildren, Brittany, Daniel (Jito), Derek, Austin, Jackson, Keyshawn, Jayden, Aubrey Rene and Maddox; sister, Corine Apodaca; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Celina Chavez; brother and sister-in-law, Barry and Vivian Coe; father-in-law, Billy Coe; and many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

God bless all those who have stood by our family during her hardship. Grandma was one of our biggest supporters for our football team and will be missed. Go Tigers!

Please sign Nilda’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Brandi Lee Gregor

1982-2019

Brandi Lee Gregor, 37, born in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 15, 1982, passed away on July 16, 2019, in her Rio Communities home. She was surrounded by her loving family.

She fought a long, hard and brave battle but succumbed to the breast cancer with which she was diagnosed in the summer of 2016.

Brandi was fiercely independent and, despite her families’ protestations, spent much of her adult life traveling far from Rio Communities. She lived in Washington state for several years, as well as Philadelphia before making her way home to New Mexico.

She made many friends along the way and spoke of them often and visited when time allowed. She started her career at age 19, working within the judiciary at the Los Lunas Magistrate Court and the Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque. She spent several years as a retail manager for Old Navy. Brandi achieved her associate degree in business administration, with honors, from the University of New Mexico.

During her youth, Brandi played softball, ran track and was a member of her middle school drill team. She loved to read and had an amazing collection of books. She was a serious Harry Potter fan and, in alignment with her bravery, courage and determination, belonged to the house of Gryffindor.

Brandi was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Norman and Eileen Gregor; her maternal grandparents, Richard and Carolyn Henderson; and her fur-baby, Amber.

She is survived by her parents, Steven and Patricia Gregor; her brother, Shawn Gregor and his wife, Jessica, and their children Alyziah, Jalen, Evelyn, Aubrey and Shawn II; sister, Heather Benavidez and her husband, Joshua Sanchez, and her daughter Madeline; and brother, Eric Gregor and his children, Eric Jr. and Keith. Brandi is also survived by the love of her life, Maddie Grace, aka, Wiggles, her miniature Australian Shepherd. She is survived by many more dear uncles, aunts and cousins, most of whom reside in Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made, in Brandi’s name, to the Valencia County Animal Shelter.

Mary T. Hidalgo

1921-2019

Mary T. Hidalgo, age 98, a resident of Belen, peacefully joined our Lord and Savior on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019.

She was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church and a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, which she took great pride in being an active member for many years. Mary volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul and also took pride in working in Valencia County voting precincts for many years. She always made herself available for volunteer work at the church and in Valencia County for whatever they needed.

Mary loved playing bingo, watching golf on TV and mostly loved being around her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook and was known for her many specialties, including her yerva wena tea.

Mary was a strong and vibrant person, and even after her beloved husband, Solomon, passed away, she instilled in all who were a part of her life that, “You can do it.”

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Solomon Hidalgo; parents, Diego and Pablita Padilla Hidalgo; four siblings, Jesus and Saturnino Trujillo, Viola Duran and Clorinda Vallejos; brothers-in-law, Arthur Duran, Ed Warren, Gene Chavez and Dan Vallejos.

She is survived by three loving children, Margaret VanderHeyden, Miguel (Therese) and Catherine Davis (John); grandchildren, Miguel Hidalgo, Regina VanderHeyden, Christopher and Francisco Hidalgo, Cody, John S. and Cheri Davis and Tomas Ward; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Virgie Chavez and Gloria Warren; sister-in-law, Lizzie Trujillo; and many loving nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to the Ambercare staff, Marisol, Rachel and Esmeralda for all their loving care given to their mother. Also to Norma J. Lopez, who also was a wonderful caregiver.

Services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, beginning with a visitation at 10 a.m., a Rosary to be recited at 11 a.m., and a Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Miguel, Christopher and Francisco Hidalgo, Cody, John and Cheri Davis and Tamara Davis Ward.

Please sign Mary’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Elsie S. Olguin

1929-2019

Elsie S. Olguin, age 89, passed away peacefully on Aug. 4, 2019.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Vicente Olguin; parents, Herman B. and Maria Sanchez; stepmother, Fidelina Sanchez; brother, Anthony Sanchez; and sister, Nellie Sanchez.

Elsie is survived by her daughter, Dolores (Willie) Espinosa; grandsons, William and Michael; and granddaughter, Karen Latimer; son, Vincent C. (Sharon) Olguin; granddaughters, Anjeanette Schmelz, Reina, Lauren and Eloisa Olguin; and her grandson Fernandez; daughter, Marilyn (Joe) Gurule; grandsons, Matthew and Marcus; and granddaughter, Andrea Gurule.; daughter, Elsie (Leon) Prevot; her grandson, Roman; and granddaughter, Kaitlynn; as well as 18 loving great-grandchildren and nine loving great-great grandchildren.

She was a devout member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church her entire life. Elsie was a master seamstress and had a variety of skill sets that set her apart from many of her peers. She was honest, sincere and always someone you could depend on.

Over the years, Elsie contributed her time in helping most church efforts, including assisting her husband, Vicente, with the Knights of Columbus. She loved her family and was a wonderful role model for her entire family. Elsie is now united once again with Vicente, the love of her life, in eternal bliss in Heaven.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Center for Ageless Living and Ambercare for their continuous loving care of their mother.

Services were held on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. Interment followed at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers were William Espinosa, Karen Latimer, Matthew Gurule, Marcus Gurule, Fernandez Olguin and Roman Prevot.

Please sign Elsie’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Mark Timothy Sedillo

1969-2019

Mark Timothy Sedillo, age 49, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2019, at his home in Los Chavez with his family and best friend, Rachel, by his side. He fought a hard battle with cancer for more than 10 years.

Mark lived and died with strong faith and courage. He loved working alongside his dad on the farm and taking care of his garden. Mark was a very talented welder, carpenter and farmer. He was a very hard-working man and lived every day to its fullest.

Mark loved his family and especially spending time with his nieces and nephews. He was always willing to teach them, whether it be something simple from playing catch to giving life advice and teaching them to respect and care for each other and God’s land.

Mark was a graduate of Los Lunas High School and attended the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University, earning a degree in computer science. After earning his degree, he decided to follow his dream and take care of the farm with his dad.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Telesfor and Adelina Sedillo and Tercila Sanchez.

Mark is survived by his parents, Telesfor and Martha Sedillo; siblings, Yvonne Savedra, Anthony Sedillo, Michael (Cathy) Sedillo, Joseph (Annette) Sedillo and Yvette (Patrick) Wulf; his best friend, Rachel; his many loving nieces and nephews, Steven Savedra, Seneca DeBaca, Michael Sedillo, Joann Sedillo, Felicia Savedra, Keith Sedillo, Adam Sedillo, Elizabeth Lovato, Matt Silva, Patrick Wulf, Jolene Wulf and Adelina Wulf; and many loving grand-nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the many doctors, nurses and therapists at Presbyterian, Mayo Clinic and Ambercare. Mark was very thankful for the love, help and care that he received.

Services took place on Saturday, Aug. 3, at San Clemente Catholic Church. Interment was held at Los Lentes Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Steven Savedra, Michael Sedillo, Felicia Savedra, Patrick Wulf, Jolene Wulf, Adelina Wulf and Paul Aragon. Mark will be greatly missed.

Please sign Mark’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Mary Ellen Small

1932-2019

Mary Ellen Small, age 86, a resident of Los Lunas, was born Dec. 24, 1932, in Ritchie, Ill. She passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.

Mrs. Small was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Los Lunas Ward. She was a lifelong resident of both Arizona and New Mexico and loved the Southwest.

Family meant everything to her and because of that, she took every opportunity to teach her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren life lessons in honesty, responsibility and hard work. She accomplished this through both spoken and daily living examples. Mrs. Small leaves behind a family she raised, who she could be proud of.

Her biggest passion and talent were cooking and baking; skills she learned at a young age being the middle of eight siblings. Holidays were a feast of pies, cookies, candy and food. Most of all, she loved her Lord and she loved America.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and daughter, Cynthia M. Wheeler.

She is survived by a son, Michael Gammon: daughter, Terri Torres; five stepchildren, two brothers, three sisters, 20 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and two more soon to arrive.

All services were held on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Belen Ward. Interment followed at Terrace Grove Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Michael Gammon, Chris Gammon, Matt Torres, Ed Small, Monty Small, Mark Small and Michael Carriere.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas Chapel, 2211-D Main St., 866-9992, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.