Maria Baldonado

Maria Benita Baldonado, 93, passed into the arms of the Lord on January 16, 2021 with her loving family by her side.  She was born on October 22, 1927 in Tierra Azul.  She grew up on her family farm, later her love for gardening showed through her beautiful roses.  Her priorities were God, family and friends.  She was a woman with very strong faith, humble, giving, hardworking and very loving.  She was preceded  in death by her mother and father Juan and Dolores Gallegos, her husband Rubel Baldonado Sr. of 47 years.  Her sisters, Isable Maes, Teofila Herrera, Rose Gallegos, and brother Jerry Gallegos.  Her two son-in-laws, Harold Pena and Frank Gallegos.  She is survived by her sons and daughters, Samuel Sr. (Martha), Rubel Jr., Floyd (Priscilla), Heraldo (Lisa), Diolynda Pena, Josephine Gallegos (Gabe), John (Audrey), Danny Baldonado, and Gedeon Santos who she considered a son.  18 grandchildren & 20 great-grandchildren and one brother in-law Abe and Dorothy Baldonado.  Special nephew Matthew and Ida Baldonado. We would like to thank the Amber care hospice staff for their professional care.  Public visitation will begin on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at the San Juan Nepomuceno Catholic Church in El Rito, with a rosary to be held  at 10:00 a.m. followed by a  Mass of Christian Burial  at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will take place after the Mass at the Old Catholic Cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers are Yvonne Baldonado, Rubette Baldonado, Isaac Baldonado, Marissa Baldonado, Sarah Pena, Natalie Gallegos, Savanah Baldonado, Sammy Baldonado Jr., Patrick Baldonado, Carlos Baldonado, Vincent Baldonado,  Nicolas Pena, and Alex Gallegos. The family of Maria Benita Baldonado has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley.  www.devargasfuneralhome.com-505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com