Helen Maldonado

Helen Portillo Maldonado, age 81, beloved mother and grandmother, of Bluewater passed away the morning of Thursday, March 7, 2019. She was born on Thursday, December 23, 1937, in Three Rivers, NM. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Portillo of Carrizozo and Catalina Gonzales of Seboyeta; her husband, Steven Maldonado (2005); and her son, Danny (2017). Helen is survived by a daughter, Diana Palacios, of Albuquerque, NM; a son, Steve (Cynthia) Maldonado of Grants, NM; and four grandchildren, Daniel Maldonado, of Bluewater, NM whom she raised as a son; Alfredo (Chantalle) Palacios of Auburn, AL, with soon-to-be born a great-granddaughter, Charlotte Helena Palacios; Mitchell (Lindsay) Maldonado of Boise, ID; Catherine Maldonado of Boise, ID, and Stephanie Maldonado of Portland, OR; extended family, Cornel and Linda Heitzman, Bobby and Julia Torrez, and Damian Smith, all whom she treasured and loved dearly. Helen was a vibrant, energetic, sentimental and benevolent person who cherished her family and close friends. In 1955, she married Steven Maldonado of Albuquerque. They were married fifty blessed years.

A Visitation will be Friday, March 15, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 500 W High St, Grants, followed with a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Father John Paul Sauter. Burial will follow immediately at the family’s Cedarosa Ranch in Bluewater.

Pallbearers will be Catherine Maldonado, Stephanie Maldonado, Lindsay Maldonado, Cynthia Maldonado, Brigeda Mascarenas-Anderson and Julia Torrez. Honorary pallbearers are Mitchell Maldonado, Cornel Heitzman, Bobby Torrez, Damien Smith, Alfredo Palacios and Reggie Hudson.