Josie Gutierrez Gallardo, 84, of Bayard entered eternal rest on June 15, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
Visitation for Josie will on Monday, June 23, 2025 from 5 to 6 pm at Baca's Funeral Chapels. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will follow at 6 pm, led by Diane Silva. The Funeral Liturgy will be on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 9:30 am at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Bayard, NM with Father Martin Okonkwo officiating. The Rite of Committal burial will follow at 11am at Fort Bayard National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Robert. Those having the honor of being casket bearers will be Marisa and Joseph Gallardo, Amador and Madelyn Reyes, Kristina and Steven Jacob Fletcher, TJ Muniz, and Eddie Barela.
She was born on December 30, 1940, to Manuel and Maria Gutierrez in Hanover, NM. She grew up with 2 brothers and 3 sisters. She graduated from Cobre High School in 1960. She married the love of her life and high school sweetheart Robert M. Gallardo on March 6,1963. They lived in California for two years while Robert was in the U.S. Navy and then moved home to Bayard NM, where they resided for the remainder of their lives.
They shared 51 loving years of marriage together. They had three beautiful children Robert J. "Robbie", Debra "Debbie" and Katherine "Kathy". Josie was a nursing assistant at Watts Clinic for a period of time and always dreamed of becoming a nurse. She was a stay-at-home mother and a Catechism teacher for many years before working at Bayard Drug Store later named Bayard Apparel and then for Bank of America for 9 years. She retired from Bank of America and helped to care for her grandchildren.
She was a devout Catholic woman and would pray her Rosary every morning. She spent countless hours at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. She was a proud Guadalupana serving alongside her dear friends Bertha Legarda and Claudine Tapia for over 40 years; holding the honor of Treasurer for the majority of that time. She taught her children and grandchildren to have faith and to trust in God.
Josie was a loving wife, mother, and nana and enjoyed spending time with her family the most. Robert and Josie were members of the Latin American Club and would take trips to Las Vegas with their friends. She loved to gamble and play slots on her iPad. They would also take trips on the bus to Laughlin with the Knights of Columbus and became very close friends with Joe and Bertha Marin. Josie loved to play Bingo and volunteered to work the Bingo Hall and concession every week. She was a diehard Cubbies and Cowboys fan and enjoyed watching all sports. She loved to talk about football and baseball with her grandsons. She loved to watch Price is Right, Family Feud, and Andy Grifith, among many other shows that she watched in the evenings. She loved to drink coffee and eat sweets while doing her puzzles every morning. She made the best tortillas, but everything she cooked was amazing and made with love.
She is survived by her children, Robbie Gallardo and wife Melissa, Debbie Reyes, Kathy Fletcher and husband Steve; grandchildren Marisa Gallardo and partner Ronnie, Amador Reyes IV, Joseph Gallardo and partner Brianna, Madelyn Reyes, Kristina and Steven Jacob Fletcher; her sister Bertha Muniz and husband Felix; very special friend/sister Bertha Legarda; sisters-in-law Helen Galindo, Allie Vasquez and husband Ruben, Delia Sepulveda and husband Ralph "Toy", and Stella Gutierrez; brother-in-law David Gallardo and partner Carmen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She is proceeded in death by her loving husband Robert Gallardo; parents Manuel and Maria Gutierrez; son-in-law Amador "Moyer" Reyes III; brothers Manuel Rivera and Rudolfo Gutierrez; sisters Lydia Arsola and husband Antonio, Carmen Rodriquez and husband Jesus, and brother-in-law Armando Galindo.
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