Obituaries (July 31, 2025)

Frances Baca Baldonado

1948-2025

Frances Baca Baldonado, age 77, a resident of Peralta, passed away on July 19, 2025.

Services will take place on Thursday, Aug. 7, starting with a visitation at 11:30 a.m., Rosary at 12:30 p.m. and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 1 p.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cemetery.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Fred Garcia and Katie Blea; daughter, Marietta Chavez; sister, Karen Jiwani; grandmother, Rafelita Baca; and aunt, Emma Gabaldon.

She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Baldonado; son, Salomon Rick Baldonado; daughter, Bridgette Rodriguez; grandchildren, Joe Baldonado, David Guasp, Aizlinn Padilla (Randan Santistevan) and Odyssey Rodriguez; and great-grandchildren, Zaydan, Violet, and Zyrus. She is also survived by her sister, Canda Garcia; and her best friends, Diana Valenzuela and Sandra Strain.

Pallbearer will be David Guasp.

Please sign Frances’ online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com, Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Sylvia Burns

1944-2025

Sylvia J. Burns, age 81, a lifelong resident of Valencia County, passed away on July 24, 2025. Services will take place on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, beginning with a visitation at 12:30 p.m., with a celebration of life at 1 p.m., at Romero Funeral Home Chapel.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth J. Burns; parents, Russel Paden and Ella Mae Turley; son, Tracy A. Burns; and grandson, Rocky A. Burns.

Sylvia is survived by her daughter, Sherry L. Hamilton; niece, Zanderia Paden; and grandchildren, Colton J. Hamilton, Daniel Hamilton, Emmet J. Gay, Amber Dawn, Daniela J. Hamilton, Raelynn T. Hietbrink, and Renee Hamilton- Gay.

She was a retired school teacher and a kind, generous soul who was deeply loved by all who knew her. Sylvia was a proud grandmother and great-grandmother who will be missed dearly.

Please sign Sylvia’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com, Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Lourdes “Toots” Espinoza LaFavor

1936-2025

After leading an extraordinary life, Lourdes “Toots” Espinoza LaFavor, 88, died on July 15, 2025, at Bee Hive Assisted Living in Bosque Farms. She joins her beloved husband of 56 years, Harry LaFavor, whom she married on Jan. 4, 1958, and who passed away on May 14, 2014.

Toots was born in Black Lake, N.M., on Sept. 23, 1936, to Jose Toribio and Lorenzita Espinoza. She was the tenth of 13 children, and all but one of her sisters, Isabel Andee Espinoza, have passed away before her.

Her siblings who have died include Benjamin Espinoza, Fabian Espinoza (infant), Tommie Roy, Rose Valdez, Marie Espinoza, Maria Berna Ryan, Albina Romero, Toribio Larry Espinoza, Molly Collins, Celedon Herman Espinoza, and James Espinoza.

Besides her sister, Toots is also survived by her nieces and nephews, including Patricia Cooper, Geraldine Lightburn, Carol Smith, Monica Arguello, Paul Romero, Andrew Valdez, and Brian Ashleman.

Two nephews, Lloyd Roy and Max Valdez, also predeceased her.

In 1954, Toots graduated from the Northern New Mexico State School in El Rito, N.M. She fondly remembered her time at the boarding school and attended many reunions over the years with some of her sisters.

Toots helped Harry operate a successful cash register business in Las Vegas, Nev., for over 20 years. During this period, they were active in Lions International and traveled around the world. They spent a year sailing around South America on a 65-foot yacht called The Friendship. They truly embraced their traveling lifestyle and made friends wherever they went.

Since they had no children from their marriage, their generosity extended to their nieces and nephews, who were treated to a trip to Japan after high school graduation through the Lions Club student exchange program.

After selling the business, they moved to Parker, Ariz., where they designed and built a house and started crafting and selling southwestern jewelry, all while continuing to travel in their RV.

Later, they relocated to Green Valley, Ariz., and joined the Green Valley Lapidary and Silversmith Club. Toots designed and crafted earrings and assisted in the gift shop.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff at Bee Hive Assisted Living in Bosque Farms for their outstanding care of Toots during the last seven years of her life. She truly enjoyed living there.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, at Riverside Funeral Home, 820 Main St NE, Los Lunas.

Donations can be made to the El Rito Alumni Association Scholarship Committee in memory of Toots. Contributions should be sent to: Northern New Mexico Normal School Alumni Association, 2242 Bright Star Ave., Las Cruces, N.M., 88011.

Please include the following reference on all checks: Scholarship Donation-Lourdes Espinoza.

David Padilla

1950-2025

David Padilla, age 74, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away on July 22, 2025.

Services will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 5, beginning with a visitation at 8:30 a.m., Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m., at San Clemente Catholic Church.

Interment will follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cemetery.

He is survived by his son, Rene David Padilla (Jolaine); daughter, Rita; stepdaughter, Brianna Dupay (Cory); sisters, Evelyn, Geraldine, Judy, Annabelle and Dolores; four grandchildren, Gabriel, Michael, Mason and Savannah; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

David is preceded in death by his loving wife, Diane; parents, Felipe and Onesima Cordova Padilla; brothers, Levi, Tony, Philip and Stanley Padilla; sisters, Veronica, Jeanette and Carol.

He was a member of the United States Army and worked at Los Lunas Training School and at Sequoyah. David liked to work on cars and liked carpentry. Urn bearer will be Rene David Padilla. Honorary urn bearers will be his four grandchildren, Gabriel, Michael, Mason and Savannah.

Please sign David’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com, Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Lola Sandoval Ruybalid

1930-2025

Lola Sandoval Ruybalid, age 94, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Friday, July 25, 2025.

Services will take place beginning with a visitation at 9 a.m. and a funeral service to be celebrated at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, at Church of Jesus Christ in Fox Creek, Colo. Interment will follow at Fox Creek Cemetery.

Lola is survived by her sons, Frank and Julian Ruybalid, and sister, Connie Richardson.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Antonio Ruybalid, and her son, Herman Ruybalid.

Lola was a member of the LDS Church.

Pallbearers will be Frank, Julian, Ian and Steven Ruybalid, Ben Sego and Lar Thomas.

Please sign Lola’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com, Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Richard “Rick” Taylor

1979-2025

Richard “Rick” Taylor, age 46, a resident of Socorro, New Mexico peacefully passed away in his home surrounded by his loving family on July 20, 2025.

Rick was born on July 3, 1979, to John Taylor and Elisapeta Tagaleo’o in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Rick moved to the mainland when he was 12 years old, where he lived in Reno, N.V., Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Las Cruces and Socorro. Rick graduated from Los Lunas High School in 1997.

Rick served in the US Navy from 1997-2001 as a Petty Officer 3rd Class. He was stationed in Japan. He also traveled to Dubai and Australia. Rick met many lifelong friends and shipmates while he served.

Rick worked for Walmart for many years in Las Cruces and Socorro, having many roles, like team lead and coach. Many of Rick’s co-workers enjoyed working with him, stating that he was a great boss.

A friend, Daven Moore, wrote letters to the San Francisco 49ers to get Rick something special. Rick was gifted a signed bobble head from George Kittle and a 49ers military beanie.

Rick’s family thanks Daven for that.

Rick met the love of his life, Denise, in 2007. They quickly became one. They were each other’s person. They spent their time together traveling to places like Cancun, Hawaii, Las Vegas and many trips to California.

They also loved “Grey’s Anatomy,” “911” and the cooking channel. They always went to the movies together with their most recent being the live action “How to Train Your Dragon.”

They both shared a love for the San Francisco 49ers, going to many games, collecting many jerseys and never missing a televised game.

Rick had a passion for music, even in his last days. He only wanted music playing, mostly 90’s hip-hop. Rick was a loving man and was always there for family and friends.

Rick is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert and Kevin Sagiao, and bonus grandma, Beatrice Lopez.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife, Denise, and their fur babies, Hana (dog) and Dosia (cat); his sisters, Amanda Sagiao (Lelu), Denise Sagiao and Renita Stewart; nieces, Denise Grant (Anthony), Luana Sala (Kehau) and Nadine Mantoyaz (Isaiah); nephews, Judeia Sala (Stephanie), Ricky Tauanu’u, Gary Lam Leah), Freddy Lam (Janae), RJ Silva (Angel) and Enzo Silva.

Rick is survived by his 12 great nieces and nephews, a goddaughter, Alani Ibarra-Lopez and godson, Jose Ibarra-Lopez, and his best friend, Adam Gonzales (Sandra).

Rick is also survived by his bonus family, sister, Samantha Silva; brother Rojelio “Jr” Silva; mom, Renay (Danny); cousins, Erica Lopez, Jessica Lopez (James), Alissa Baca, Auntie Dody Lopez, Uncle Ramon Lopez and Markeisha Lopez (Damion), whom he treated and cared for like a daughter, along with many other friends and family.

Rick was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in February 2024. He bravely fought for a year and a half.

Rick never gave up, but God saw he was tired.

A public viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, July 31, at Noblin Chapel in Belen.

A eulogy and reception will be held at a later date.