Valentina (Sandoval) Gallegos

It is with profound sadness and much love that we mourn the passing of our sweet mom. grandma and sister, Valentina Gallegos, age 90.  She passed away peacefully at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, NM after being ill for quite some time.  She is survived by her five children:  Maxine Gallegos, Joseph Gallegos (Marcie), Angela Gallegos, Martin Sanchez (Mickie), and Ricky Sanchez (Michelle).  Her precious grandchildren include:   Clarence Sanchez (Jeanell), Natalia Pino (Nester), Raynaldo Gonzales, Linda Sanchez (David), Ricky Sanchez Jr., and Natalya Sanchez.

Her cherished great-grandchildren are: Jeremiah, Elijah, and Aaliyah Aguirre, Clarence, Jr., Angelique (Zia) and Linda Sanchez, Nester II, David and Noah Pino, Ricky Sanchez III, Elisabeth, and Isaiah Sanchez.  She is also survived by her siblings:  Flora Valdez, Rebecca Gonzales, Valerie Gonzales, Arturo Sandoval, and Rosendo Sandoval (Viola), and a multitude of special nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

            She was preceded in death by her parents, Rosendo and Rosario Sandoval; her grandchild, Elijah Sanchez and brothers, Celedonio and Tito Sandoval, as well as many and beloved family members.  Her kind demeanor, sense of humor and her story-telling (especially those detailing the hilarious and mischievous antics she and her siblings got into while growing up will forever live in our memories.  She was a wonderful cook and somehow managed to take the most basic pantry ingredients and turn them into some of the most tastiest meals ever.  Her grandchildren were often treated to delicious homemade cookie, sopapillas shaped like little animals or some other cute shapes that she patiently cut out with her cookie cutters, as well as many, many other goodies.  Her grandchildren were definitely the light of her life and she continuously nurtured and showed them unconditional love just as she did with her children.

            In her healthier days she loved dancing and often went out with her friends to enjoy a night out.  She listened to country music and all her favorite Spanish New Mexican artists on the radio (especially in the morning while getting her day started.  Her hobbies were many:  sewing, crocheting, embroidering, tending to her flower garden, reading, and occasional trips to the various local casinos.  One could also often find her sitting outside on a beautiful day reading her prayer books or just basking in the warmth of the sunshine and simply savoring a quiet moment.

            She also valued her deep faith which was a source of comfort and strength throughout her life and was reflect in the way she lived her life (always generous and forgiving).  She was a proud member of the San Ysidro Church, as well as the San Miguel Church where she often volunteered for various church events.  Our mother is forever in our hearts and now is sleeping in heavenly peace, safe in the arms of Christ’s love and beautiful angels. We will miss her much.

            Services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 at the North San Ysidro Church with a visitation from 9:30 am until 10:00 am, followed by a rosary at 10:00 am.  The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated by Father Vincent Dominguez at the church at 11:00 a.m.  The interment will follow in the San Ysidro Labrador Cemetery in North San Ysidro, NM with the following serving as pallbearers:  Clarence Sanchez, Elijah Aguirre, Raynaldo Gonzales, Jeremiah  Aguirre, Clarence Sanchez Jr., and David Aguirre.  Honorary pallbearers will be Natalia Pino, Linda Sanchez, Ricky Sanchez Jr., Natalya Sanchez, Nester Pino II, Noah Pino, David Pino, Aaliyah Aguirre, Elizabeth Sanchez, Isaiah Sanchez, Linda “Bub”, Angelique Sanchez, and Jeanelle Sanchez. A reception will follow the interment and all are invited.

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