Maria Belen Simoes passed away at the age of 87 in Clayton, New Mexico on December 17, 2021.
Services are pending at this time.
Belen was born in Folsom, New Mexico on September 8, 1934, to Rosendo and Virginia (Garcia) Rael. She was one of 19 children.
She attended school in Clayton. Worked at her Father’s Restaurant where she met the love of her life Jose Simoes when he would visit Clayton and eat at their restaurant while he was in the Air Force. They married on June 11, 1955, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They traveled and were stationed in Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Jersey, Azores Islands, and Texas where they retired. Then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico then ended up in Portales, New Mexico. They were married 45 years when he passed away on May 24, 2001. Belen moved to Clayton on November 18, 2019, to live in Clayton Nursing & Rehab where she made her home till she passed.
Belen loved making Gingerbread houses and Cake Decorating. She was a passionate cook. Making dishes from her and Jose’s heritage as well as dishes that she learned to make from friends from travels. She was very involved in the Catholic Church and loved doing the readings at Mass. She prayed daily and all day long for everyone till the day she passed.
Belen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters; Juanita Rael, Pauline Rael, Jean Talley, and Addie Montoya, her brothers; Charlie Rael, Richard Rael, Joe Rael, Jr., Manuel Rael, Johnny Rael, and Dennis Rael, her brothers-in-law; Jim Talley, Pete McDonald, and Donato Sanchez and her sisters-in-law; Irene Rael and Viola Rael.
SURVIVORS:
Daughters: Patricia Baker and her husband Lewie of Clayton, New Mexico, and Michelle Simoes of Portales, New Mexico.
Sons: Russell Simoes and his wife Yulia of Glen Alan, Virginia, and Glenn Simoes of Portales, New Mexico.
6 Grandchildren: Evan Baker and his wife Bethanie and Dawn Baker and her husband Michael all of Clovis, New Mexico, Virginia-Rose McClure and her husband Cory of Clayton, New Mexico, Carlee Simoes of Portales, New Mexico, and Misha Bridun and Sofia Simoes both of Glen Alan, Virginia.
7 Great-Grandchildren: Antonia, Adrian, Noah, Jaxon Baker, and Landyn Neff all of Clovis, New Mexico, and Blake and Landon McClure of Clayton, New Mexico.
Sisters: Dorothy Sanchez of Bernalillo, New Mexico, Merceded Mereki and her husband Bruce of Silver City, New Mexico and Patricia McDonald and Lucine Montoya, and her husband Tommy all of Clayton, New Mexico.
Brothers: Leo Rael and his wife Paula of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Dominic Rael and his wife JoJo of Clayton, New Mexico, Cassie Rael and his wife Tina of Florida, and Freddie Rael of El Paso, Texas.
Brother-in-law: Louis Montoya of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Many nieces and nephews.
Special Friends: Eddie and Cecilia Reyes, Sofie Sanchez, Adelaide Huff, and Josie and John Nigerville.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Maria Belen Simoes, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
