Herminia "Minnie" H. Gomez

HERMINIA “MINNIE” H. GOMEZ

With fondness, love and profound gratitude the family of Minnie Gomez announce her passing on July 1, 2021 at her home in Santa Clara. The peace and mercy of God was hers in her last moments, with her grandson Eric holding her hand as she passed. Minnie was born April 25, 1929 to Cesario Holguin and Maria Rios Holguin in Santa Clara and was the youngest daughter of a large family that included 4 sisters and 2 brothers. She enjoyed telling stories of growing up in Santa Clara (where she helped out at her father’s general store) and the many challenges of growing up in the 1930’s and 1940’s.

She was married to Robert Morales and they had a daughter, Maria. They briefly lived in Los Angeles then returned to live in Santa Clara. Her husband, Robert passed away in 1955. She remarried and attended beauty school to become a licensed cosmetologist. She eventually opened her own beauty shop in the lot across her home in Santa Clara. Many residents of the county kept her busy stopping in for her services. For a short time, she was also an instructor at Feather Beauty college in Silver City.

After retiring from her business and after the passing of her second husband Henry Gomez, she became a full-time, live-in grandma, with her daughter Maria and son-in-law Johnny Montoya. She lovingly helped raise her four grandsons. Whether teaching one of her grandsons how to use a soldering iron or pray the rosary, her skills were many and varied. For many years she was an indispensable part of the household and a blessing.

During her daughter’s last illness, she nursed and tended to both her daughter and grandsons. Minnie was a devout Catholic her entire life, a communicant at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Monastery having done laundry and cooked meals for the brothers in the early days of the monastery construction. Her faith and trust in God allowed her to guide her grandsons and their growing families through the passing of her son-in-law Johnny in 2007.

She spent her remaining years gently mothering and helping to ground the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Over the last decade she lived happily with her grandson Eric Montoya. Their home was always open to family and friends who would stop in and sit with her as she watched westerns on TV Her generosity and kindness was felt by everyone that knew her and the encouragement and support of her grandson’s musicianship will never be forgotten.

The respective families of her grandsons will miss her very much and thank God for the many years she was allowed to govern and nurture their lives. Preceding her in death are her daughter Maria de Los Angeles Montoya, son-in-law Johnny G. Montoya, husbands Robert Morales and Henry Gomez, sisters Rita H. Molinar, Emilia H. Castillo, Amelia H. Molinar, brothers Alfonso R. Holguin and Alfredo H. Holguin.

She is survived by John and Lillian Montoya of Las Cruces, Robert and Lucy Montoya of Santa Clara, George Montoya and wife Bobbie of Santa Clara, and Eric Montoya also of Santa Clara, one sister Inez H. Lopez of Santa Clara, step-children Esther Grijalba of Silver City, Ruben Gomez and wife Yvonne of Albuquerque, Gilbert and Beatrice Gomez of Silver City, great-grandchildren Shaun, Clarissa and Gabrielle, Maria, Olivia and Robert Jr., Jeremy, Desi, Mateo, Joachim, and

Quentin, and Elysha Montoya, great-great-grandson Kaylub and great-great-granddaughter Mariella. Surviving her as well are Stephanie Newby Montoya and Loretta Marrufo, mothers of four of the great-grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, step-grand and great-grandchildren. All of whom had a special place in her heart.

Visitation for Mrs. Gomez will begin at 9 AM Friday, July 9, 2021 at Baca’s Funeral Chapel, Hwy. 180 East at Delk Drive, where Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 10 AM. The Funeral Mass will follow immediately thereafter. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the Santa Clara Cemetery where she will be laid to rest in the family plot.

Serving as casket bearers will be John Montoya, Robert Montoya, George Montoya, Eric Montoya, Jeremy Montoya and Shaun Montoya.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for “Veterans and Family Memorial Care."  For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com

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