Gloria M. Lucero, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, April 3, 2021.

She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Fernando Lucero;  three daughters, Teresa Marquez (Paul), Antoinette Martinez (Dennis) and Lynnette Gauna (Jason); grandchildren Rachael Singer (Joel), Alexander Marquez, Maud King-Lewis (Will), Matthew Lucero, Jessica Estrada, Joanna Aguilar, Erik Gauna, and Daniella Gauna; great-grandchildren Amaya, Santana, and Emma Estrada, and Makai and Haseya Howard; sisters Marcella Barker, Maryann Benavidez (Estanislado), Connie Martinez, Rose Tapia; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her son Fernando Lucero Jr.; mother Adelida (Ida) Tapia; step-father Jose Tapia; and baby brother Jesus.

Gloria was born on March 29, 1937 in Las Vegas, NM. She was honored with the name Gloria Magadela because she was born on Easter Monday. The first country song she heard as a young girl was "Oklahoma Hills" and she was hooked.  Marty Robbins was her favorite country artist. Gloria was inspired to read by her friend Mrs. Grier who told her that reading was knowledge and knowledge was reading. Again she became hooked. To quote Gloria, "The joy one gets from reading is hard to explain. Open a book and start to read is like entering a new world. It is full of anything you ever imagined."

Gloria was a homemaker making sure her family was always clean and fed. She kept an immaculate home. Her motto was "A place for everything and everything in its place" and most importantly her family knew there was a right way, a wrong way, and Gloria's way. She had deep faith in the Lord and made sure all her children and grandchildren were baptized and made their First Communion. She was very interested in her family roots and traced her family back five generations. She was an exceptional seamstress making clothes for her children and grandchildren and wedding dresses for her daughters. She made beautiful needlework: embroidery, crotchet, and needlepoint. She made baby blankets every time a new family member was born. So those of you who received one of her blankets know that it is priceless.

Gloria was diagnosed with emphysema leading to a dependance on oxygen. She passed away due to respiratory failure. Let this be a lesson to all not to smoke!

Gloria was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a friend to all. She could strike up a conversation with anyone. She was especially interested in people's history. And believe it or not, she could usually find some connection through a family member or friend if not through herself. She knew lots of people. She has left a hole in our hearts and will be deeply missed.

A memorial mass will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1860 Griegos Rd NW

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me

Please try to understand

That an angel came and called my name

And took me by the hand

The angel said my place was ready

In heaven far above

And that I would have to leave behind

All those I dearly love

But when I walked through

Heaven's gates

I felt so much at home

When GOD looked down and

Smiled at me, and told me

"Welcome Home."

So when tomorrow starts without me.

Don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right there in your heart.