With great sadness, we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother, Mary Avila. She was born on October 22, 1921, in Folsom, New Mexico, and died at the age of 102 years on May 24, 2024.
She was one of twelve siblings born to Amador Valdez and Gabrielita Gonzales Valdez. They preceded her in death along with two sisters and seven brothers.
Upon her retirement from the culinary union in Las Vegas, Nevada, she moved to Raton, New Mexico to be close to her family and lived in Raton for twenty years.
She was a Colfax General Long-term Care resident in Springer, New Mexico, where she was treated with excellent and loving care in her last years.
She is survived by two daughters, Wanda Gates-Ortiz of Raton and Carol Zamora of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is also survived by three granddaughters, Marlo Melton (Ron), Karla Urban (Ken), and Ginger Marie Gates all of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Five great-grandchildren, Tyler Filip, Angelo Joseph “AJ” Melton, Gabrielle Melton, Benjamin Urban, and Charlie Urban.
She is also survived by two sisters, Edna Cruz of Pueblo, Colorado, and Hope Tarufelli (Pete) of Raton, New Mexico, and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Special nieces Cheryl Wilkins of Tucson, Arizona, and Kelli Gabriele of Raton, New Mexico.
Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated on June 21, 2024 at 11:30AM at St. Josephs-St.Patricks Catholic Church in Raton, New Mexico, officiated by Father Bill Woyatich. Burial to follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Arrangements for Mary Avila are under the direction of Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home in Raton, NM.
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