Virginia M. Gorman

Virginia Montoya Gorman passed away peacefully at her Santa Fe home on July 25, 2026, two days short of her 96th birthday. She was surrounded by loving family and friends.

Virginia was born in Taos, New Mexico, and grew up in El Prado, a community she always loved. During World War II, she lived with her mother and stepfather in San Francisco for a year or two, a cherished experience. The family returned to Taos, and upon graduation from Taos High School, Virginia moved to Santa Fe. With the assistance of her beloved grandmother, Eliza Montoya, who was a political force, she began a 39-year career with the State of New Mexico. She retired from the New Mexico Corporation Commission after more than 35 years of service with the Insurance Department as complaints supervisor, a job she loved because it involved helping people to resolve insurance disputes. After retirement from the State, Virginia worked with her son, Richard, in his land use planning practice, and she volunteered in her grandchildren’s classrooms.

Shortly after moving to Santa Fe, Virginia met and fell in love with Robert D. Gorman. They married and had six children. Virginia would often say that she was so blessed to have her family, and especially her children, who she considered to be a great gift. She was devoted to her mother, Lillie Miera, and her brother, Ernesto Leandro Montoya, and she loved her Montoya relatives, her Selph relatives, and her Gorman relatives (especially mother-in-law Magdalena), as well as the many friends she made working for the State. Virginia loved people, and people loved her.

A woman of great faith, she was devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe and to OLG Parish, where Virginia served as a Eucharistic minister and took communion to the homebound. She was a founding member of a group of parishioners who started a free lunch program at the parish hall, providing meals to day workers who gathered at a neighboring park, and to the homeless. The program continues to this day. Virginia also was a godmother to children of friends and relatives, and to an adult friend who became a Catholic through the RCIA ministry. In 2011, Virginia received the Archbishop’s St. Francis of Assisi Award for her service. She lived her faith and instilled that faith in her family.

Virginia loved to travel with husband Robert before he died, traveling to Spain, Morocco, France, Hawaii, and various cruises, as well as trips around the US. After Robert passed, she continued to travel, with excursions to Ireland, Italy, the Holy Land, Mexico, and cruises, as well as trips to Washington DC, Chicago, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles, to visit grandchildren. Virginia’s mother would often say about her: “No más se ve un caballo ensillado y ahí vas.” (As soon as you see a saddled horse, off you go).

Virginia was preceded in death by husband Robert, son Richard, mother Lillie Miera, father José Leandro Montoya, step-father Lino Miera, brother, Ernesto Leandro Montoya and sister-in-law Molly, mother-in-law, Magdalena Gorman, and Eleanor Quintana. cousin and adopted as a sister by Virginia’s love for her.

She is survived by her children, Robert Gorman, Jr. (Cathy), Peggy Martínez (Larry), Gina Arsenault (Jon), James Gorman (Paula), and Don Gorman (Suzanne), daughter-in-law Shea Gorman, and Joseph Gorman, nephew and adopted as a son by Virginia’s love for him.

She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren:

Richard’s Children: Felecia Gorman, Christopher Gorman, and Ryan Gorman (Meghan), and great grandchildren Charles Gorman and Max Gorman (Ryan and Meghan);

Robert’s Children: Sarah Gorman, Lillian Gorman (Baltazar), and Stephanie Gorman (Brock), and great grandchild Leroy Gorman Frost (Stephanie and Brock);

Peggy’s Children: Lawrence Alexander Martínez and Rachel Martínez Powers (Andrew), and great grandchildren Michael Martínez-Powers, Simon Martínez-Powers and Benjamin Martínez-Powers (Rachel and Andrew);

Gina’s Children: Nicole Shephard (Zach).

James’ Children: Ashley Olivas (Mario) and Katelyn Gorman.

Don’s Children: Jacquelyn Gorman, Don Gorman, and Jay Gorman,

Virginia is also survived by Ailene Martínez, cousin and adopted as a sister by Virginia’s love for her.

In addition to being survived by many nieces and nephews, and other relatives, Virginia is survived by her loving and devoted care givers, who became a part of the family, Dolores García, Viola Gonzales, Sandra Gonzales, and Alfredo García. Virginia’s family is eternally grateful to them.

A rosary will be recited for Virginia at Rosario Chapel, 499 N. Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, NM 87501, at 6:30 p.m. on August 10, 2026. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 417 Agua Fria St., Santa Fe, NM 87501, at 10:00 a.m. on August 11, 2026, with internment at the National Cemetery, 501 N Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, at 12:30 p.m., followed by a gathering at the Elks Lodge, 1615 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

In lieu of flowers, Virginia requested donation of non-perishable food or cash contributions to the Meals for the Homeless/Soup Kitchen, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 417 Agua Fria St., Santa Fe, NM 87501.