Obituaries (Sept. 18, 2025)

Lupita Maria Montaño (Rael)

1947-2025

Lupita M. Montaño, age 77, a resident of Adelino, passed away peacefully on Aug. 28, 2025, of an unexpected illness.

She was born in Adelino and came from a large family. Lupita married at the young age of 15. She was a homemaker, who did her best to take care of her five children. There wasn’t any kind of house work in or out that she couldn’t do.

Her passion was working outdoors, where she loved to irrigate her many tall beautiful evergreens that she planted. She deeply missed her two sons who passed away before her.

She was a long-time member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomé. She was very close to her daughter, Lorraine, and they shared a very close bond, not only as mother and daughter, but as best friends.

The family wishes a very special thank you to the Inhora house, where she was cared for with so much love, dignity and respect from the most kind and generous people.

Also, to Dr. Louise McDade, from Presbyterian, and also to Jay, her nurse, and staff at Bosque Trails hospice.

She is preceded in death by her two sons, Ricky and Julian Montaño; parents, Guadalupe and Maria Rael; her brothers, Alberto, Ernesto, Juan, Arturo, Patricio and Albert; baby, Veronica; her sister, Erlinda Rael; and nephews, Ernesto and Michael Rael.

She is survived by her daughter, Lorraine Montaño, of the family home; son, David Montaño and wife, Bernice, and daughter, Monica Montaño; brothers, Herman and Jose Rael; uncle, Frank and Lucy Rael, of California.

Also surviving are six grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

All services were held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Tomé on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The urn bearer was her daughter, Lorraine Montaño.

Inurnment followed at the Tomé Catholic Cemetery.

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

Magdelene Annette Padilla (Thomas)

1964-2025

Magdelene Padilla went home to be with Jesus on Sept. 9, 2025, at 10:03 p.m.

She was the wife of Joseph Padilla, and they shared 42 wonderful years together.

Services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18, at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley, beginning with a viewing at 1 p.m., a funeral service at 1:30 p.m. A burial will take place following services at 3 p.m. at the family home, 144 Maestas Road, Belen.

Please visit noblin.com for full obituary.

Nancy Eleanor Spear

1936-2025

Nancy Eleanor Spear passed away at her Los Lunas home July 26, 2025, in the care of her husband, Winfield Spear. They had celebrated 41 years of marriage on May 5. On June 6, they celebrated Winfield’s birthday, and on July 6, they celebrated her birthday, as they both turned 89.

Nancy was born July 6, 1936, in Providence, R.I., to Walter and Helen Haven.

Nancy was a member of the Albuquerque Sweet Adelines for many years and sang tenor. She traveled with the Sweet Adelines throughout New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Arizona and several other states, performing at private and public events, as well as on television.

She worked at Sandia National Laboratories, starting in the stenographer pool and quickly moved up to a secretarial position supporting engineers. Shorthand and speed typing were her expertise. Upon retirement, she was presented an award by Lab leaders for “Exceptional Service in the National Interest, 1981-1997.”

Nancy was preceded in death by her father, Walter Haven; and mother, Helen Haven. She was also preceded in death by her stepmother, Marjorie P. Haven; and her sister, Lois Bennett and husband, Frank Bennett.

She is survived by her husband, Winfield; half-sister, Lida Black, of Massachusetts; half-brother, Richard Haven and his wife, Ruth, of Florida; son, Peter D. Rail and his wife, Amy, of Plano, Texas; grandson, Dr. Benjamin Rail and his wife, Racheal, of Baltimore; nephew, David Bennett and his wife, Wendy, of Florida; niece, Susan Cepek and her husband, Thom, of Ohio; niece, Nancy Morstadt and her husband, Eric, of Florida; and many grandnieces and nephews. She was a wife, mother and grandmother and gave her love to all her family.

In the length and breadth of her life, Nancy made many great friends. She will be remembered for her love of life, her beautiful smile and her gracious manners. She will be missed by all who loved and knew her.

She considered herself very fortunate to have lived on Wittwer Court in Los Lunas. She especially enjoyed the neighborhood Christmas celebrations. She would always wish her friends happy trails and Vaya con Dios.

Cremation has taken place and no internment is planned at this time.

Those who would like to remember Nancy may make donations to Albuquerque Sweet Adelines, Inc.; Animal Humane of New Mexico, the World Wildlife Fund; National Wildlife Federation; Defenders of Wildlife or the National Audubon Society.

Ticha “Eluticia” Vega

1926-2025

Ticha “Eluticia” Vega, age 98, a resident of Bosque Farms, passed away on Sept. 11, 2025.

Services will take place at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Thursday, Sept. 18, beginning with a visitation at 9:30 a.m., a Rosary at 10:30 a.m., and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cemetery.

Ticha is survived by sister, Margie Olguin (Augie); sons, Sonny Vega (Maddie) and Ronald Vega (Mary); daughters, Patsy Vega and Carla Maez; grandchildren, Carrie Vega-Fortney (Steve), Becky Vega, Cody Vega (Carrie), Dusty Vega (Ashley), Casey Vega (Fiancé Macie), Marisha Maez (fiancé, William) and Mariha Trujillo (Alec); 11 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Nea Gabaldon.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Frank D. Vega; parents, Lupe and Elvira Marquez Gabaldon; sister, Elizar Gallegos (Joe); brothers, Eddie “Neo” Gabaldon and Orlando Gabaldon (Josie), son-in-law, Elias Maez III, and great-grandchild, Micah Trujillo.

Ticha was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the Legion of Mary. She was well known for her cooking and baking. She always made sure everyone was fed. She enjoyed spending time with her family and church community.

She was very active within her church community. Ticha enjoyed working in the cafeteria and feeding people which led to her enjoyment as a homemaker for many years.

Pallbearers will be Cody, Dusty, Casey and Ryan Vega, Steve Fortney, Alec Trujillo, William Abers and Augie Olguin. Honorary pallbearers will be JayCee Vega, Piper Vega-Fortney, Cooper and Macey Vega, Ava, Axel and Eli Trujillo.

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