Grace Gallegos

On October 29, 2026, Grace Gallegos of Thoreau New Mexico was called home by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace Salcido Gallegos was born on April 7, 1942. She was born for the Ashihii (Salt), Kinyaa’aanii and Naakai Dine’ clans at Ft. Wingate, New Mexico. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of sixty-three years, Higinio “Tini” Gallegos; her parents Martha Begay and Francisco Salcido; her daughter, Francis Gallegos; her brothers, Frank and Charlie Salcido: and her sisters, Alice Shorty and Elsie Begay.

She is survived by her three children, Josephine Gallegos of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Patricia Tiefenthaler of Prescott, Arizona; and Michael Gallegos of Island City, Oregon; six grandchildren, Kristin, Michel’Le, Yvette, Jamie, Ryan, and Cruz; four great-grandchildren, Jamie Jr., Kailynn, Brent, and Lily; and her brother Roy Salcido of Thoreau, New Mexico.

Grace attended high school in Salem, Oregon and was valedictorian of her graduating class. She then returned home to Thoreau, New Mexico, where she married Higinio “Tini” Gallegos and raised her family.

Grace dedicated thirty-eight years to the Bureau of Indian Education as a Supervisory Educational Technician at Dlo’ay azhi Community School in Thoreau, New Mexico. She received the 1996 Dormitory Staff Person of the year for exemplary care and guidance that she provided for countless students on the Navajo Reservation. She also served her community as a leader for the Girl Scouts of America and volunteered for Futures For Children, supporting and encouraging young people to further their education.

After retiring from the B.I.E., she served four years as a correctional officer at the Cibola County Facility in Milan, New Mexico, with Corrections Corporations of America.

Grace enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including reading, word search puzzles, card games, and occasionally venturing out to a casino to try her luck at a slot machine. One of her favorite pastimes was listening to music. Some of her favorite artists included John Fogerty, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lorenzo Antonio, and Al Hurricane to name a few.

Grace will be remembered for her faith, dedication, generosity, and unwavering love for her family and all who knew her.

Forever loved, forever remembered, and forever missed.