Rafaelita Perez

Perez, Rafaelita
Rafaelita Perez was born in Torreon, New Mexico on October 28, 1937 to her parents, Macario and Salome Gabaldon. Rafaelita went to be with the Lord on February 22, 2022. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orlando Perez; brothers, Cecil Gabaldon, Guadalupe Montoya and wife, Martha, sister in law, Viola Perez.

Rafaelita is survived by her daughter, Jeanette and husband, Antonio Sanchez; son, Joseph and wife, Anita Perez; grandchildren, Annette and husband, Daniel Munoz, Stephanie Salazar and her partner, Marty Garcia, Michael Sanchez, Matthew Sanchez, Ernesto Salazar and his partner, Carmelita Padilla; great grandchildren, Vicente Salazar, Lorenzo Salazar, Ernesto Salazar, Cameron Garcia, Daija Munoz, Natalya Munoz and Isaac Salazar; additional family members, sister in law, Bernice Gabaldon, son, Cecil Gabaldon, grandson, Macario Gabaldon, daughter, Arianna Gabaldon, Ida Perez, daughter, Mary Ellen Perez, son Anthony Perez.

Rafaelita loved the Lord with her entire heart and tirelessly devoted herself everyday to her faith. She selflessly made her family her sole focus and she worried over and took care of them until the end, sometimes to the exclusion of her own needs. She exemplified the values of loyalty, honestly, authenticity and hard work. Rafaelita always had a strong work ethic. She worked for 40 years at La Placita Restaurant in Old Town and later at the Hispanic Cultural Center gift shop until she was physically unable to continue working. Rafaelita made great sacrifices for her family and helped raise her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was exceptionally generous and one of the friendliest people anyone has ever met. She had such a kind and humorous spirit, a fantastic sense of humor and a beautiful laugh! Her wit was razor-sharp and she was a highly resilient woman. She was the Godly Matriarch of her family and was often seen as the cornerstone of her family. She worshipped God with her entire heart until the very end. Rafaelita had an infectious joy for life, especially with music. She loved listening to Mariachi music, religious music and Al Hurricane.
Rafaelita will be desperately missed by all those that she left behind. Out hearts are broken by the loss of this remarkable woman of God and I know we will see her again. She was one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, March 7, 2022 from 5:00-6:00 pm with a Rosary to be recited on 6:00 pm at Strong Thorne Chapel, 1100 Coal Ave. SE. A Mass will be held at Holy Family Church, 562 Atrisco Dr. SW, on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 9:00 am with interment to follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Reception to follow burial at Holy Family Reception Hall.

Pallbearers will be Michael Sanchez, Matthew Sanchez, Vicente Salazar, Lorenzo Salazar, Ernie Salazar and Daniel Munoz. Honorary Pallbearers Ernesto Salazar and Cameron Garcia. To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.garciamortuary.com
Garcia Mortuary
717 Stover Ave. SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-243-5222