Mary Helen Avalos

Mary Helen Avalos, 83, passed away January 26, 2025 at the Bent County Health Care Center in Las Animas. She was born on January 5, 1942 in Trinidad, Colorado to Benny & Romona (Ortega) Gallegos. She married Gilbert “Mr. A” Avalos who proceeded her in death on June 18, 2006. 

As we reflect upon our mom, Mary Helen Avalos, will be remembered as a loving, caring, generous person to all her family and friends. She leaves with us a lot of cherished memories which allows us to hold on to her forever. She leaves behind a legacy of teaching her children and grandchildren what is important in life. Mary Helen is an inspiration to each of us with her sense of humor, laughter, smile, her giving and caring character and loving each and every one of us endlessly. Our mom was a very hard worker, working as a nurses aide for Arkansas Valley Hospital, Las Animas Bent County Healthcare Facility, and the Fort Lyon VA Medical Center. She was a wonderful, loving and caring person who enjoyed her work life and anyone who knew her, knew that. Mary Helen was a great cook, loved to clean, loved to dance and sing and was involved in many activities and groups like the Women's Circle, Mariachi Group, and helping with the Catholic Bazaar in the kitchen making her tamales and tortillas. With her free time she enjoyed spending time with her brothers, sisters, friends and family. Our mom maybe gone but she will not be forgotten, her memories will live on in all of our hearts, minds, and souls. 

Mary is survived by her children, Daniel (Veronica) Palomino, Barbara (Nick) Leyba, and Diana (Mary Marfil) Palomino; grandchildren, Karen (Mike) Casillas, Brittany Leyba, Lisa Leyba, Mardi (Marcos) Fernandez, Shaina (Roberto) Herrera, Lillian (Noe) Rodriguez, Apolonia SanMiguel, Eric Palomino, Bethany Kelly, Markus Rodriquez, Amaya Rodriquez, Jadiss Rodriquez, and Elias Rodriquez; great-grandchildren, Ethan Leyba, Deason Leyba, Amari Casillas, Vidal Fernandez, Aurora Fernandez, Adayr Herrera, Adriel Herrera, Adrian Herrera, Ezekiel Rodriguez, Enzo Rodriguez, Ezra Flores, Zoia Flores, Loki Flores, Ibri Flores, Amedio Archuleta, and Adelaya Rodriquez; brothers and sisters, Paul (Bonnie) Gallegos, Sally (Jose) Flores, Anita Duran, Rosemary (Antonio) Jimenez, Bobby (Barbara) Gallegos, David (Veronica) Gallegos, Dolores Gallegos, and Darlene (Bobby) Martinez; sister-in-law, Frances Gallegos. She was preceded in death by her parents, Romona and Benny Gallegos; her husband, Gilbert Avalos; her son, Joseph D. Palomino; her daughter Teresa M. Avalos; her great-grandson, Antonio Victor Rodriquez; her siblings, Johnny (Frances) Gallegos, Eugene Gallegos, Barbara (Johnny) Ruiz, Tommy Gallegos, Carmen (Ralph) Colangelo, Patrick Gallegos, and Anthony Gallegos.

The family requests that you wear black and red formal funeral attire, since those were Mary’s favorite colors. 

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be February 7, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick Parish with Father Joseph Matitu officiating. Inurnment will follow at Ft. Lyon National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. 

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.