Helen Gallegos Vigil

Helen Gallegos Vigil passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 24th, 2023, at the age of 95. She was born in Algodones, NM in 1927 to Adelina and Antonio Gallegos. After attending Our Lady of Sorrows High School, Helen moved to Albuquerque where she met the love of her life, Eliu Vigil. They married in 1955 and were blessed with 67 years of marriage.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Eliu; daughter, Barbara Jean; brothers, Michael and Tony; and parents, Antonio and Adelina Gallegos. She is survived by her children: Trish Tilley (Jim), Sue MacEachen (Tim), Daniel Vigil, Tom Vigil (Randy), and Ronald Vigil (Donna); along with their grandchildren, Erin Belger Cox (Andrew) of Gold Coast, AUS, Sarah Belger Murtaugh (Scott) of Gunnison, CO, Brandon MacEachen of Albuquerque, Alyx Tilley (Joel Hartenberger) of Washington, DC, Eric Tilley (Kelly Thomas) of Denver, CO, and Ethan Vigil of Albuquerque. Helen and Eliu also have 4 great-grandchildren, Eayn and Joliette Cox, and Olson and Max Murtaugh. Helen is also survived by her in-laws, John Vigil (Anna), Teresa Lopez, Loren Brooks, Eliza Naranjo, and Jeanette Romero, along with many nieces and nephews.

Helen was very independent and strong-willed. She started working at the young age of 18 for the NM Department of Health and Human Services where she retired 42 years later. During her decades of dedication to the Income Support Division, her department honored Helen with many service awards for achievement. She was devoted to her family and was deeply faithful to her parish, Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Helen and Eliu were fortunate to travel to many points across the globe and the US throughout their lives. She was a "hostess to the most", feeding anyone who stopped by for a visit. Christmas was her favorite holiday, a time she spent with family and friends making sure a full supply of biscochitos was on hand.

A wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, Helen will be missed by all who knew her. The family would like to thank Dottie Moss who offered spiritual guidance after Eliu's passing and to Tina Villalba for her companionship, and the many family and friends who stopped by to visit.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, beginning at 5:00 p.m., followed by a Rosary at 6:00 p.m., at FRENCH – Wyoming.

Mass will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023, 2:00 p.m., at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 927 Arizona St. SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico.