Eileen Shadie Gonzales
( April 02, 1952 – June 23, 2022 )
Eileen Shadie Gonzales of Raton, NM passed away Thursday, June 23, 2022, at her home.
Eileen was born on April 2, 1952 in Llano De San Juan in Taos County to Amadita Gonzales Portillos.
She moved to Raton when she was 6 years old, and attended Raton Public Schools in grades 1-12, graduating with the Class of 1970. She then started working as a candy striper at Old Miners’ Hospital during her senior year. Eileen retired from MCMC with 30+ years.
In 1969 she met her future husband, Robert, by accident. Robert was working for the Raton Police Department. The Police Department got a call to Garcia street, reference to a missing teenager. When they got there, and as they are getting the description of the teen, Eileen comes walking up to her house! This encounter turned out to be a marriage of 52 years.
Eileen had dedicated herself to helping people with diabetes. She founded, produced, and directed her Annual Famous “Lip Sync”, which she did every year for 40+ years. She was determined to help people financially pay for their diabetic medications. She would get the whole community involved with Lip Sync.
Eileen was preceded in death by her grandfather Eliseo Gonzales, Her Mother Amadita Gonzales Portillos, and her father Eloy Portillos. Eileen was a St. Joseph’s / St. Patrick’s Catholic Church member.
Eileen is survived by her husband Robert Lee Gonzales of Raton, son Robert L Gonzales Jr (Robi) of Albuquerque, NM, Daughter Robynn Andrea Gonzales-Salazar and husband Ernest Joe Salazar, grandchildren Zoey Sombra Salazar, twins Gavin Lee Salazar and Ava Aurora Salazar all of Raton, NM.
In Lieu of flowers, the family would like to have donations made to her Lip Sync Program. They may be sent to Lip Sync, PO Box 614, Raton, NM 87740.
Arrangements for Eileen Shadie Gonzales are under the Direction of Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home, Raton, NM.
Services will be on Friday, July 22, 2022, at St Joseph’s / St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Raton, NM. Rosary at 10 am recited by her Grandchildren Zoey Sombra, Gavin Lee, and Ava Aurora Salazar. Celebration of Life with Father Rob Yaksich officiating at 10:30 AM. Luncheon to follow the mass at St. Joseph’s/ St. Patrick’s Parish Hall. Interment will take place at a later date in Llano De San Juan, Taos County.
