ALAMOSA – Alamosa resident Corelia (Cora) Gonzales, passed away on December 27, 2022 at the Evergreen Nursing Home in Alamosa with her daughter and son-in-law.by her side. Cora was born on January 26, 1927 in Amalia, New Mexico the daughter of Lugardita and Erineo Vallejos and was raised by her sister Lucinda Lucero and brother-in-law Ricardo Lucero.  Cora was united in marriage to Jose (Joe) Agapito Gonzales on April 25, 1947 in Costilla, New Mexico. Joe preceded her in death on September 19, 2019.

Shortly after marriage, Cora and Joe moved to Colorado where they secured jobs working with the Fujimoto family at the Carmel Ranch.  Cora worked at the local schoolhouse. She and Joe harvested crops and worked at the Helm's Potato Warehouse. In 1957, Joe and Cora made their home in Alamosa. Cora, “Corita as Fay called her”, was a cook at the Mexico Cafe working for Faye Jewett more commonly known as “Chata”. Cora continued working in the restaurant business at the Cow Camp, and at the Bel Air Café. In 1980, Cora retired from the Housekeeping Department at the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center.

Cora, was a faithful servant and devout member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She was a fantastic cook and enjoyed gardening, canning food, fishing, camping, embroidering, listening to Spanish music, and spending time with her loving family.

Survivors include her daughter Donna (Joe) Griego of Alamosa, CO; grandchildren Nichole (Chris) Medina of Grapevine, TX; Tina Griego, Buda, TX; Tony (Katherine) Griego, Dripping Springs, TX; Angelica (Aaron) Ashbee, Austin, TX; great grandsons Chayse Gonzales, Buda, TX and Everett Griego of Dripping Springs TX; great granddaughters Sevyn Medina of Grapevine, TX, Emelia Griego of Dripping, TX, and Avery Ashbee, Austin, TX.  She is also survived by sisters, Elciria Torres, Longmont, CO; Nieces Tillie Vigil, Alamosa, CO; Mae (Manuel) Martinez, Los Lunas, NM; Gloria Torres, Las Vegas, NM; brothers Eliseo (Martha) Lucero, Amalia, NM; Clarence (Elsie Mae) Lucero, Rio Rancho, NM; James (Josie) Lucero, Amalia, NM; Albert (Oclides) Lucero, Amalia, NM and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cora was preceded in death by her husband Jose (Joe) Gonzales; parents Lugardita and Erineo Vallejos; sisters Lucinda Lucero, Rosalia Tafoya, and Senaida Miera; brothers Tomas Vallejos, Eulogio Vallejos, Pulidor Vallejos, Cruz Vallejos, Eloy Vallejos; brother-in-law Ricardo Lucero; one niece Lugardita Sanchez, one nephew Richard Lucero; and one great granddaughter Alexia Jordan Medina.

A special thank you to the Alamosa County Nursing Services, Dr. Magabe Walker, Dr. Brinton, and Dr. Kristina Steinberg, Colorado Seniors-Meals on Wheels, Evergreen Nursing Home, and all who assisted in Cora’s care.

On December 31, 2022, Recitation of the rosary will be held at 9:30 AM and Mass of the Resurrection to be held at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church in Alamosa. Interment to follow at the Alamosa Cemetery. Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022 from 12-4 PM at the Romero Funeral Chapel in Alamosa. To leave online condolences please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. Romero Funeral Home of Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.