Maria Esperanza Gallegos, age 81, passed away peacefully in Eunice, New Mexico, surrounded by her sons on January 24, 2023.

Maria Esperanza Gallegos was born August 25, 1941, at Gonzales Ranch, New Mexico, to Herman and Angelita (Chavez) Lopez. She married Arthur Gallegos September 22, 1956, in Antonito, Colorado.

A resident of Eunice, New Mexico, Maria lived her adult life in Clayton, New Mexico, Denver, Colorado, and Ortiz, Colorado.
Maria was known for her cooking and catering skills, her love for Christmas, but most of all her love for her family. Her family will cherish many memories, but the memory of her beautiful Christmas tree with presents stacked all around, the pressure cooker hissing, and Maria humming a tune as she made tamales for her annual Christmas party will always be their favorite.

In addition to Arthur and her parents, she was preceded in death by her sons, Gus R Gallegos, Herman Gallegos, and Art G Gallegos Jr., her brothers, Manuel Lopez and Jesusito Lopez, her sister, Theresa Fernandez, and her grandson Kenneth Sandoval.

Left to cherish Maria's memories are:

Two sons: New Mexico Senator David Gallegos and his wife Sonya of Eunice, New Mexico and Kevin Gallegos of Denver, Colorado.

Four Daughter In-laws: Rochel (Gus), Elisa (Herman), Laura (Art), and Tela (Kevin).

Three Brothers: Herman Lopez Jr and wife Yvonne of Granbury, Texas, Willie Lopez and wife Olivia of Pueblo, Colorado, and Jose Antonio Lopez and wife Margie of Parker, Colorado.

Five Sisters: Cruzita Segura of Clayton, New Mexico, Connie Roybal of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Sylvia Baca and husband Richard of Los Lunas, New Mexico, Alicia Sanchez of Lovington, New Mexico, and Ermalinda Alcorta and husband William of Lovington, New Mexico.

Eleven Grandchildren: Erin Gallegos, Amber Gallegos, Megan Gallegos, Jennifer De Los Santos, Danielle Maldonado and husband Joe, Rocky Gallegos, Cruz Gallegos-Martinez, Ramsey Martinez, Mia Gallegos, Zeke Gallegos, Dirk Gallegos.

Three Great-Grandchildren: Mariah Maldonado, Alyssa Maldonado, and Kierra Gallegos.

One Special Great-Great-Grandchild: Katie Marie Gallegos

and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Viewing will be held at Hass Funeral Home in Clayton, NM on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Services will be held at Clayton Gospel Church in Clayton, NM on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at 10:00 am. Burial will be held at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wheatridge, Colorado on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life Dinner honoring Maria will be in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 2:00 pm.