Danielle (Ruby) Leon

                                                                                                      Courtesy Announcement

Leon, Danielle (Ruby), 78. Longtime resident of Rio Rancho went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, following a lengthy illness. She was born in the San Fernando Valley, CA to Odilia Martinez and Amadeo Martinez on June 21, 1946. Maternal grandparents were Ramoncita Pacheco Martinez and Felix Martinez; paternal grandparents Antonia Dominguez Martinez and Ramon Martinez y Leyba. Ruby so loved Northern New Mexico that she would say “this is where my family roots are.” She was the family uniter whether in California or New Mexico always planning gatherings and family reunions, never having to ask a second time or say please it was always yes for Ruby. When Grandpa Ramon was 102 years old Ruby organized a maternal and paternal family reunion on her brother’s property with over 100 people in attendance. She would often call and announce, “I’m coming with mom can we invite her brothers for lunch?” Always in and out like a whirlwind.

She leaves to mourn her passing, Don Leon, her devoted caring husband of 30 years and his son D.J. of the family home in Rio Rancho; two daughters Cheré Balani and Monay and husband Ray Zamani of California; a son Aaron; five grandchildren, Keanu and Howard Lynch Balani, Nicholas, Kamila and Leyla Zamani; three sisters, Mary Lou Deritis of Clovis, Antonia and husband John Ponce of Rio Rancho and Dorothy Rodriguez of CA; four brothers, Joe Wilfred Martinez and wife Wanda of CA, Raymond Martinez and wife Sandra of Santa Fe, LeRoy (Lee) Martinez and wife Teresa of La Puebla and Rick Rosas and wife Laura of CA. She is also survived by her sole surviving Tia, Margaret Martinez of Santa Cruz; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended relatives in NM, CA and AZ. Memorialization to be at a later date.

The courtesy of this announcement has been entrusted to DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley 505-747-7477.