Manuelita (Mannie) Montoya Varela, 97, passed away peacefully on Friday July 4, 2025, after having fallen. In the days leading up to her passing she was visited and comforted daily by her loved ones. She was born March 8, 1928 in Servilleta, (Rio Arriba County) New Mexico to Jose Cresencio Montoya and Piedad Herrera. She was one of nine children and was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers Claudio Valdez, Julio Valdez, Candido Valdez, Pedro Salazar, Albert Salazar, Leroy Salazar and two sisters Eva Valdez Mckee and Libby Abitong. Manuelita was raised in La Madera, New Mexico where she met the love of her life Eugenio Varela. They were married on January 5, 1952 in La Madera, New Mexico and moved to Cimarron in the fall of 1959, with the family spending their first night in Cimarron at the Saint James Hotel. In Cimarron she and her husband raised three children and built a life rooted in faith, family, and community. She is survived by her three children Roger Varela (wife Susie Varela), Ross Varela (wife Cindy Varela) and Darlene Zamora (husband Frank Zamora). Manuelita was the proud mother of three children, and very proud grandmother of 8, great-grandmother of 25 and great-great grandmother of 8 children. Family was at the heart of everything Manuelita did. She cherished the time with her loved ones, held her friendships close, and had a special affection for her cats especially her beloved bebita. She enjoyed reading The Rio Grande Sun, The Albuquerque Journal, The Raton Range, The Chronicle and working on puzzles.
Services to honor her life will be held on Wednesday July 16, 2025 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Cimarron, New Mexico. Rosary at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial at Mountain View Cemetery with the serving as pallbearers: Frank Zamora, Frank Zamora Jr., Santiago Gallegos, Stefan Varela, Alvin Quintana, and Daniel Varela. Honorary Pallbearers: Emilio Baca, Jason Archuleta and Zaiden Varela
A reception will be held at Parish Hall immediately after burial.
She will be remembered for her warmth, strength, generosity and devotion to those she loved. Her legacy lives on through the generations she inspired. She lived a humble and simple life.
Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Ave., Las Vegas, NM 87701, 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.
