Maria Delfina Gutierrez

Maria Delfina Gutierrez of White Rock, New Mexico, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, on All Saints’ Day, November 1, 2026, at the age of 88. She was born on November 26, 1937, in the middle of the Great Depression, in El Rancho, New Mexico. She was the eldest of eleven children born to Manuel and Rosina Gomez.

Maria was an eighth-generation New Mexican, with deep family roots in the history of New Mexico. She was a direct descendant of Doña Ana Robledo Gomez, her 8th great-grandmother, the matriarch of the Spanish colonists who fled Santa Fe during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Doña Ana was best known for saving the holy statue of Nuestra Señora de la Paz during the Pueblo Revolt. She died en route to El Paso. Twelve years later, in 1692, her daughters returned to New Mexico during the Reconquista. Upon their return to Santa Fe, they brought back with them La Nuestra Señora de la Paz. It is housed today in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. La Conquistadora, as it is known, is a small, carved wooden statue believed to be the oldest Madonna statue in the United States. It was brought to New Mexico from Spain in 1625. For generations, the statue has represented the enduring Catholic faith of Maria’s ancestors, a faith that would become the foundation and guiding force of Maria’s own life.

Maria graduated as valedictorian from Pojoaque High School in 1956. Maria met her husband, Rueben, at Adam’s State College later that year. Maria married her beloved Reuben L. Gutierrez on June 29, 1957, and together they raised five children. She was a devoted wife and mother, a loving grandmother of 15 grandchildren and the matriarch of the Gomez family. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy. Those who loved her will remember her beautiful singing voice, her lively spirit, and her curiosity about the world.

Maria was preceded in death by her eldest son, Leonard Gutierrez (Audrey), who passed away on December 28, 2020, and her brothers Manuel Gomez (Mary Maida) and Billy Gomez. 

She is survived by her beloved husband, Reuben Gutierrez, of 69 years of marriage, and her children Pamela Gutierrez, Gina Charlin (Chris), Evan Gutierrez (Maria), and Adam Knight (Tyler). She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Matt and Josh Spurgeon, Reuben James Gutierrez, Brandon Gutierrez, Elizabeth Waseta, Michael Gutierrez, Ava Grace Charlin, Andrew Gutierrez, Avery Knight, Xavier Knight, Eowyn Rodriguez, Maya Knight, Violet Knight, Emmy Knight, and Ashton Knight. She is also survived by her siblings Celina Martinez (late husband Donald), Juan Luis Gomez, Benny Gomez (Veronica), Aggie Roybal (late husband David), Cipriano Gomez (Pam), Albert Gomez, and Edward Gomez. 

Maria’s Catholic faith was at the heart of her life. She loved God, His Son Jesus, and Our Blessed Mother. There was never a day that Maria did not pray or read about the Catholic faith. As a professional seamstress, she used her talents to sew garments for the statue of Our Lady in the old El Rancho church. She made many blankets for her grandchildren. Maria was also a fine artist whose preferred medium was oil painting. Her paintings were New Mexico Southwest landscapes. She was an avid reader and a dedicated gardener. Her English Garden in her backyard reflected her passion for flowers. She spoke and wrote Latin, knew her flowers and herbs by their Latin names, and carefully documented their growth.

A rosary will be held at noon on Saturday, November 7, 2026, followed by Mass at 12:30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Lunch will be served in the parish hall following the interment. 

Maria loved life and found joy in the things she could nurture and create with her own hands. From making tortillas, tamales, and biscochitos to her canning of pears, cherries, and many other foods that she learned from her mother and mothers before. Her family will remember her through the flowers she grew, the paintings she created, the faith she cherished, and the beautiful sound of her voice. Her legacy lives on through the generations of the Gomez family who came before her over 400 years ago and those who will follow. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.