Obituaries (Dec. 4, 2025)

Frances Ida Gallegos

1934-2025

Frances Ida Gallegos, age 91, a resident of Belen, passed away on Nov. 18, 2025.

Services will take place at San Francisco Xavier Catholic Mission Church in Jarales on Friday, Dec. 5, starting with a visitation at 9 a.m., a Rosary at 10 a.m., and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at

10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Frances is preceded in death by her loving husband, Nestor S. Gallegos; daughter, Juliana R. Sackett; son, Charles Gallegos; parents, Rebecca and Estevan Archuleta; brother, Tony Archuleta; sisters, Mary Martinez and Arabella Jiron.

She is survived by her children, Darlene Cook, Loretta Levy and Steven Gallegos; grandchildren, Aaron Cook, Michael and David Levy, Corynn, Gerrard, Tyrell Sackett and Juliana Gallegos; siblings, Emma Herrera and Leo Archuleta.

Pallbearers will be Michael, David Levy, Corynn Caffey and Gerrard and Tyrell Sackett. The honorary Pallbearer is Aaron Cook.

Frances was a member of our Catholic Daughters, the Servites of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul and Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church.

Dolores Maria Garcia-Zamora

1936-2025

Dolores Maria Garcia-Zamora, 89, passed away on Nov. 17, 2025, peacefully in her home in Los Lunas. She was born on May 18, 1936, in Albuquerque.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Miramon and Trinidad Garcia; her husband, Nickolas Zamora; her daughter, Janet Jaramillo; and her grandson, Anthony Martinez.

Dolores is survived by her four daughters, Annette Zamora, Doris Zamora, Lorraine Zamora and Nicky Mendoza; and son-in-law, Junior Mendoza. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Dolores retired as an electric technician from Singer Electric Company, where she enjoyed working and took pride in her craft.

She will be remembered for her colorful personality, her humor, her love and kindness and her unwavering dedication to her family. She made friends everywhere she went and was truly the life of the party.

“And the thing is ...” “ And what about it!” — Our Lil’ Mama

Services will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 927 Arizona St. SE, Albuquerque. A Rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 11 a.m.

Tonya Colene Burson Ivory

1973-2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Tonya Colene Burson Ivory, 52, a resident of Belen, on Nov. 16, 2025.

Tonya was born on April 23, 1973, to William “Dick” and Ginger Burson in Albuquerque. She was a graduate of Belen High School, and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNM.

Tonya served in many different roles in the work force and was a senior nutritionist for the New Mexico Department of Health before her passing.

Tonya loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. She loved traveling to the many different lakes in New Mexico and photographing the beautiful scenery. Tonya shared this love for the outdoors with her husband, Alvin, whom she loved so much.

Family was everything to Tonya. She loved hosting gatherings at her house and especially loved having get-togethers to watch football games.

Tonya was a member of Calvary Chapel in Belen, and was actively seeking where she could serve and reach more people, more specifically, Tonya wanted to become more involved in community outreach and helping the homeless. Her faith was the corner stone of her life and she allowed her faith to guide her in her roles as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and grandma.

Being a grandmother to her two granddaughters, Layla and Zia, brought her so much joy. Tonya was a light that brightened every room. She loved her family and friends wholeheartedly. Her beautiful smile and infectious laugh will never be forgotten.

Tonya is preceded in death by her grandparents, Ben and Jo Shough, and Harvey and Leta Burson; mother, Ginger Burson; and her son, Malachi Burson.

She is survived by her father, William “Dick” Burson; husband, Alvin Ivory; brother, Coleman and his wife, Jennifer, and their children, McKenna, Spencer and Ashtynn; and grandchildren, Layla and Zia.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, Dec. 12, at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley in Belen. A visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m., and services at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Calvary Chapel’s Outreach Ministry in Tonya’s memory.

Sheila Maria Sanchez

1960-2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce Sheila Maria Sanchez, age 65, resident of Tomé, passed away peacefully in her home on Nov. 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Sheila was born on May 2, 1960, in Roma, Texas, to Ray T. Margo Jr. and Minerva M. Margo. A proud graduate of Eldorado High School, class of 1978, she went on to earn an administrative associates degree A.A.S. from New Mexico State University in 1980.

She married the love of her life, Clarence M. Sanchez, on June 17, 1983. Together, they raised two children, Jesse Sanchez and Cecilia Sichler. Sheila was the proud and dedicated grandmother of five beautiful grandchildren, Lillyanna Sanchez, Brianna Sichler, Katie Sanchez, Andrew Sichler and Brooklyn Sanchez.

Sheila was a faithful, and devoted woman of God and the Catholic Church in Tomé. She served 18 years as a director of religious education for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe S.W. Deanery. She served as the office manager and director of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was an enthusiastic mentor and religious educator to children and adults alike.

Sheila was a generous and kindhearted woman, who gave everything back to her community. She volunteered in the Saint Vincent De Paul pantry, where she helped coordinate food and heating assistance for needy families in the area. Sheila worked in many financial institutions, devoting 34 years as a mortgage and consumer lending bank officer. Sheila recently retired from Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union, now known as Sunward Bank.

Sheila was the light that brightened every room. She was vibrant, kind and deeply empathetic. She loved her family and her friends wholeheartedly. She had a wonderful laugh and a radiant smile that made everyone feel special. She found joy in bringing everyone together, organizing gatherings, and welcoming others into her home.

She loved spending time sewing costumes, painting and crafting with her grandchildren. She enjoyed working in her garden and planting an abundance of flowers and herbs around her home. She was passionate and proudly cheered from the sidelines at various sporting, 4-H and FFA events that her children and grandchildren participated in. She was active and enjoyed long walks with her husband and yoga with her friends.

Sheila was preceded in death by her father, Ray T. Margo, Jr.; (paternal) grandparents, Raymundo Margo and Cecilia Hinojosa; (maternal) grandparents, Adan and Maria Garcia; and her son, Matthew Sanchez, who was entrusted into the loving arms of the Lord before his birth, and lived on in Sheila and Clarence’s hearts.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Clarence Sanchez; her children, Jesse Sanchez (Crystal), Cecilia Sichler (Scott); and chosen daughter, Josephine Sanchez; her grandchildren, Lillyanna, Brianna, Katie, Andrew and Brooklyn. She is also survived by her mother, Minerva Margo; and four sisters, Maricella Courtney (John), Yvonne

Anderson (James), Carol Stanners (Steve) and JoAnn Bryan (Scott).

She will be forever remembered by many other family members and friends, whoever called upon her for guidance, and wisdom in hard times, or shared a good laugh at the dining room table.

The Sanchez family would like to thank Elizabeth Sombrano and the staff at Roadrunner Hospice for your kindness, compassion, love and prayers given to our wife and mother in her final days. Thank you to all our family and friends for the love, support and generosity given to our family.

In lieu of flowers, at Sheila’s request, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society, or Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11, at Immaculate Conception Church in Tomé. Visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 11 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m.

Honorary pallbearers are Diego Vallejos, Andrew Sichler, Matthew Vallejos, Scott Sichler, Ernest Vallejos, Dennis Sanchez and Mark Garcia.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.