Obituaries (Jan. 13)

Eleanor Barela

1947-2022

Eleanor Barela, age 74, a resident of Tomé, passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2022.

She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother.

Eleanor is preceded in death by her infant son, Eugene; parents, Maximiliano and Emilia Vallejos; sister, Berna Lopez; brothers, Jose and Rosendo Vallejos; and several in-laws.

She is survived by her loving husband, Gene Barela; daughter and son-in-law, Jean Marie and Jon Montano; grandchildren, Jericho and Jenae; siblings, Isabel Torres and Edward Vallejos; as well as several nieces, nephews, in-laws and cousins.

All services will be take place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomé. A final viewing will begin at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 13, with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Tomé Catholic Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, face masks will be required.

A special thank you to Ambercare staff for all their help during this difficult time.

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

 

Marcia N. Blythe

1934-2022

Marcia N. Blythe, long-time Albuquerque and Los Lunas resident, passed away quietly on the evening of Jan. 1, 2022, at Presbyterian Hospital.

Born on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, N.Y., in 1934, she was the granddaughter of John and Amelia Karsch, of New York City, and Alden C. and Helen A. Noble, of Scarsdale, N.Y. She was the daughter of William Noble, a radio-television journalist, and Ethel K. Noble, and grew up in the Westchester, N.Y., village of Pelham Manor.

A graduate of the prestigious Emma Willard School in Troy, N.Y., she attended Goucher College (Towson, Maryland), New York Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing (New York, N.Y.) and the University of Arizona (Tucson, Ariz.).

In 1956, in the chapel at Goodfellow Air Base in San Angelo, Texas, she married U.S. Air Force Lt. J. Barry Blythe, and two years later, after her husband completed his military service, they moved to the Albuquerque area, eventually residing in Los Lunas for many years while raising her four children.

An avid reader, Marcia was buoyed by her large, multi-generational family, and by her faith and church affiliation, cultivating her strong Christian beliefs. She also devoted herself to the welfare of animals, particularly canines. Rarely without a four-footed friend by her side, she provided warm and loving space for them. For her, caring for a dog was akin to caring for a child.

Some of Marcia’s interests included gardening of herbs and roses, bird watching, and keeping up with the lives of her children and grandchildren via deep and loving conversations. Often, these conversations were seasoned with Marcia’s sense of humor.

Marcia was a charter member of the El Jardin Encanto Garden Club for 40 years and enjoyed applying what she learned from the club to her own flower gardens. Another passion of Marcia’s, was her volunteer work as a Basic Tutor for the Literary Volunteers of America at the Los Lunas Correctional Center, where she helped teach others the skill of reading in one-to-one settings.

Marcia is survived by her four children, Barbara Bakewell (Jeff), of Pasadena, M.D., Joseph Barry Blythe Jr., of Fort Collins, Colo., John Parker Blythe (Debra), of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Catherine Chavez, of Albuquerque. She is also survived by her brother, William Noble Jr., of Island Heights, N.J.; and by seven grandchildren, Kristen Gorbell (Austin, Texas), Jacob Blythe (Audrey Murchland, Boston, Mass.), Katie Gorbell (Austin, Texas), Janessa Blythe Mackenzie (Drew, Charlottesville, Va.), Kyle Chavez (Albuquerque), Casey Chavez (Albuquerque) and Joseph Blythe III (Fort Collins, Colo).

In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, the family requests that donations be made to Joy Junction (JoyJunction.org, 505-217-9586, 2103 Wyoming Blvd., NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87112) in the name of Marcia N. Blythe.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 12, at the Eastern Hills Baptist Church, 3100 Morris St. NE, Albuquerque. Lunch will follow. Details will be available on the Noblin Funeral Services & Crematory website, noblin.com, 505-866-9992.

 

Eugene Castillo

1949-2022

Eugene Castillo, age 72, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away the morning of Jan. 6, 2022, in his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born on March 9, 1949, to Daniel and Deluvina Castillo. Gene served in the Army National Guard for 20 years, and always said they were some of his “best years.”

He retired from the city of Albuquerque after 37 years of service as a commercial building inspector and CID investigator. Gene was a simple man, whose life was driven by honor and integrity. Those who were lucky enough to know him will tell you that his honesty and loyalty were surpassed by none.

Gene was the patriarch of the family and will be greatly missed. He was a devoted family man and friend.

Gene is survived by his wife of 54 years, Charlene; children, Gino and partner, Christina, Natalie and husband, Andrew, Ashley and husband, Benjamin, and Marissa, and husband, Michael; grandchildren, Aaron, Andre, Ariana, Jared, Camden, Jax and Brooklyn.

A viewing will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 14. A Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 5 p.m. A reception will follow at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 13, 1201 Legion Rd. NE, Albuquerque.

Interment will take place at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 15.

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

 

Vivian Jeremias Cordova

1939-2021

Vivian Jeremias Cordova, 82, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. He was a member of San Clemente Catholic Church.

Vivian was born Oct. 22, 1939, at the family ranch to Andres and Ignacita Espalin Cordova. He later graduated from Los Lunas High School in 1957.

He went on to serve his country, and was a United States Army veteran, serving in the Berlin Crisis of 1961. He returned home from the Army to continue his lifelong career and passion, which was ranching and farming alongside his father and brothers.

Vivian married Marylou Gabaldon, and together they had their pride and joy, daughter, Avalon, who lovingly cared for them both.

Years later, he met and married his loving wife, Norine Chavez Cordova. They both retired from their careers to do some traveling. Their favorite pastime was visiting casinos in New Mexico and neighboring states. They had many years of making special memories with their family until her passing.

Throughout his life, Vivian’s constant focus was the care and wellbeing of his daughter, Avalon, her husband, Robert, and his grandchildren, with whom he spent all his final years. He had breakfast every morning as well as dinner every evening with Robert and Avalon.

Most hours in between were spent calling them to make sure that everyone was doing good, grandchildren included. He ended each phone call with, “I worry about all of you. I love you too much.” I always said that I would forever miss those phone calls.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andres and Ignacita Espalin Cordova; wife, Norine Chavez Cordova; brothers, Waldo Cordova and Marcelino Cordova; sisters, Rita Ortiz and Priscilla Sanchez.

Vivian is survived by his only child, daughter, Avalon L. Cordova and her husband, Robert Gonzales; grandchildren, Gino Gonzales, Jade Kittrell and husband, Eliot, Anthony J. Gonzales and wife, Becky, Kimberly Gonzales and Lisa Romero; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Dominic and Celina Gonzales, Gabrielle Romero and Jackson Kittrell; brother, Peter Cordova and his wife, Theresa; sister, Josie Artiaga; many loving nieces, nephews and friends, and a very special and lifelong friend, Herman Baca.

Funeral arrangements were trusted to Noblin Funeral Service, Los Lunas, 2211-D Main St., SE, Los Lunas, NM, 87031, 505-866-9992.

 

Marjorie Joyce (Thiel) Guernsey

1931-2021

Marjorie Joyce (Thiel) Guernsey passed away at her home in Belen on Jan. 21, 2021, at the age of 89.

Marjorie was born in Billings, Mont., on July 21, 1931, to Charles Arthur Thiel and Maude August (Sherrow). She was the youngest of eight, and was the last survivor of her four brothers (Arthur, Charles, Harold and Howard), and three sisters (Lois, Lucille and Marvel).

She is survived by her husband, Gibson (Bill) Ralph Guernsey, of 59 years; and two loving children, Belinda Guernsey, of Belen, and Lynn (Guernsey) Slack, of Bedford, Texas. She has three grandchildren, Taylor Slack, of Grand Prairie, Texas, Johnny Slack, of Bedford, Texas, and Braydan Deanne (Slack) Anderson, of Ogden Utah. She was extremely proud to have a great-grand daughter, Alliana.

She moved to Albuquerque, where she met her husband, Gibson R. Guernsey, where they were married on June 16, 1961. She raised her children, and worked as a film technician, nurse and, later as a teacher for children of special needs in the Albuquerque Public School system.

She loved anything and everything to do with her family, and the outdoors — camping, hiking, bird watching, star gazing, rock collecting, and supporting her children’s school events and activities.

She was a loving and supportive wife and a caring mother. She taught not only from her words but primarily by her actions. She was gentile, and known for being compassionate, caring and supportive. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

 

Carmen Baldonado Romero

1931-2021

Carmen Baldonado Romero, age 90, a resident of Bosque, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, after an unexpected heart condition.

She was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church and the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. She owned and managed Bosque Trading Post, formerly Conant’s, for 12 years, where she befriended many locals as well as people just passing through.

She has been referred to as the matriarch of Bosque because she continued her mother’s devout family traditions, commitment to Cristo Rey Church, and to the community. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, baking, canning, dancing, traveling and, most importantly, visiting family and friends.

Countless messages and calls have been received describing Carmen by her smile, friendliness, love, faithfulness, selflessness, spirit, devotion, strength and phenomenal cooking and baking that fed multitudes.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jose Ignacio and Ramona Baldonado; two brothers, six sisters and her eldest child, Felix.

Carmen is survived by her husband of 73 years, Leo Wilson Romero; her children, Corine (Ruben) Chavez, Edwin Romero, Diann Romero and Louis Romero; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Viola (Elmon) Sanchez and Anna Romero; nieces and nephews, as well as cousins. She will always be remembered with great love and admiration.

A public viewing will be held at 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 13, at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, with a rosary to be recited at 6 p.m. A final viewing will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 14, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, with Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12 p.m., Interment will follow at the Bosque Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Martin Baca, David Floreno Trujillo, Philip Zambrano, John Zambrano, Shawn Hogue, Benji Miranda, Isaiah Pena and Jeremy Romero. Honorary pallbearers will be Joshua Pena and Wayne Romero.

Please sign Carmen’s online tribute and read full obituary at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

 

Mary M. Sena

1947-2022

Mary M. Sena, age 74, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

She was born in Gonzales Ranch, N.M. Mary received her education on Gonzales Ranch and graduated from UNM-Valencia Campus. She worked in three cafes in Clovis, Lovelace Clinic in Albuquerque, Electronic Ampex in Rio Rancho, GTE Len Kurt, Semines in Albuquerque, was a Melaleuca executive and sold Tupperware.

Mary was a proud member of the San Clemente Catholic Church. She taught CCD for 30 years at San Clemente Church in Los Lunas.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Ferminio Lopez and Anita Lovato; brothers, Richard (Mary) Lopez, Paul (Mary) Lopez and Leandro Lopez; sisters, Pricilla Lopez, Genoveva (Juan) Martinez, Arselia Chavez and Rosie Gonzales.

She is survived by sons, Michael (Judy) Sena and Stephen (Samantha) Sena; granddaughters, Crystal Sena, Raquel Sena, Erika Sena, Andrea Sena and Marissa Sena; nephew, who she thought of as a son, Ricky Lopez; great-nephew, Armando Lopez; brothers-in-law, Seledon Lopez, Alfredo Chavez and Matias Gonzales; and many good friends and nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 13, and a Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m.

Pallbearers will be Levy Lopez, David Lopez, Georgie Martinez and Ricky Lopez. Honorary pallbearers will be Crystal, Raquel, Erika, Andrea and Marissa Sena, and Alfredo Chavez.

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

 

Robert “Bob” Walsh Jr.

1964-2022

Born July 31, 1964, to Sharon and Robert Walsh in Battle Creek, Mich., Robert “Bob” Walsh Jr. passed away Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022.

Bob spent his youth in Battle Creek, Mich., and moved to Albuquerque in 1978. He was confirmed at Valley Lutheran Church in Los Lunas. He attended Los Lunas High School, grades 9-11, and graduated from Manzano High School in 1983.

He married his high school sweetheart, Lucille Garcia, in 1989, and they moved to Oregon, where he worked as a remodel contractor. Bob and Lucille had one daughter.

Returning to New Mexico in 1994, Bob worked as a contractor for many years, and later became a security guard. He worked as a security guard for 15 years, but enjoyed most his latest security job at Duke City Recovery Tool Box, where he had a positive impact on the staff and clients. He was the self-proclaimed “Keeper of the Peace.”

Bob was a biker. He rode and rebuilt Harleys for many years. He was a loving father to his daughter, Jamie Marie Walsh-Garcia, and his stepson, his “Sonny Boy,” Paul Garcia. He loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Bob was a friend to many, and enjoyed telling his wild life stories. He was a life-long friend of Bernadette Garcia-Benavidez. He was tenderly known as “Uncle Bob” to Jerry Garcia, Jason Steele, Valerie Steele, Jazmine Garcia, Jeremy Steele, Joshua Steele, Julie Morales, Patrick Garcia, David Garcia, Rachael Bradford, Jessica Garcia and Thomas Salgado.

Bob is survived by his mother, Sharon Kay Walsh; brother, Raymond J. Walsh; and daughter, Jamie Lucero and her husband, Carlos; his grandchildren, Leysia Lucille Lucero, Carlos T. Lucero Jr. and Mathias Garcia; his cousins, Magi VanCleave (Acie) and Molly Harmon (Kyle Moore); and his dog, Shirley.

Services will be held at Valley Lutheran Church, 3259 N.M. 47, Los Lunas, at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 29. A reception will Follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Valley Lutheran Church.