Helen Eva (Martinez) Tafoya

Helen Eva Tafoya passed away at her home in Grants on Monday May 30, 2016, she was 80. Ms. Tafoya was born in San Luis, Colorado to Gabriel and Rebecca Martinez on March 27, 1936.
Ms. Tafoya was a devoted member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church. She also was a member of the Mt. Taylor Quilt Guild, and of the Red Hat Society. She had worked as a bus driver and at the middle and high school levels as a substitute teacher, she also worked with special needs children. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and going to the casino. But her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was loved and will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her five children; Debbie Dominguez and her husband Anthony, David Tafoya and his wife Rosemary, Michael Tafoya and his wife Michelle, Brenda Urioste and her husband Johnny, and Leroy Tafoya. Fourteen Grandchildren; Vanessa Dominguez, Melissa Farnsworth, Jessica Dominguez, Isaac Tafoya, Adrian Tafoya, Francesca Tafoya, Mikah Tafoya, Elizabeth Lavery, Gabriel Urioste, Samuel Urioste, Antoinette Sanchez, Jesse Tafoya, Erin Fe Tafoya, and Jackie Tafoya. Sixteen Great-grandchildren; Kylie Tafoya, Isaiah Tafoya, Joseph Lavery, David Lavery, Daniel Lavery, Christian Farnsworth, Tabetha Lee Farnsworth, Noah Sanchez, Luke Sanchez, Ryan Sanchez, Alethea Tafoya, Isaac Tafoya, Gabriella Gonzales, Ethan Urioste, Jeffery Coats, and Journee Coats. Her siblings; Nick Martinez and his wife Winnie, Merlinda Juarez and her husband Jake, Frank Martinez, Rebecca Martinez, Esther Hatch and her husband Bob, Rose Diaz, and Connie Zumba. Along with numerous other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband; Ignacio "Nash" Tafoya. Her parents; Gabriel and Rebecca Martinez. One grandson; Jared Tafoya. One great-grandson; Ignacio Sanchez. Her siblings; Nora Castro, John Martinez, Beno Martinez, Casilda Johnson, Alex Martinez, Paul Martinez, Tommy Martinez, Don Martinez, Nora Marie Martinez.
On Monday June 6, 2016 at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, a Visitation will be held from 9:30 am - 10:30 am, then at 10:30 am a Rosary will be recited, at 11:00 am a Mass will be celebrated by Father David Tate. Burial will then take place at Grants Memorial Park. A reception will receive family and friends at the Knights of Columbus hall following services.
Pallbearers include; Adrian Tafoya, Isaac Tafoya, Samuel Urioste, Gabriel Urioste, Jesse Tafoya, Jackie Tafoya, Jeff Coats, and Francesca Tafoya.
Cope Memorial Chapel of Gallup is entrusted with arrangements.