Stella Marie (Gomez) Pina

Stella Marie Pina (Gomez) passed away on September 9, 2021, at her home in Albuquerque surrounded by loved ones. She was 68 years old. She is survived by her daughter Cassaundra Gomez, her son Joseph Gomez, and her three brothers: Gary, Steve, and Michael. Stella was born to Joe F. and Cecilia M. Gomez on June 28, 1953, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She attended first grade at Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary. The family then moved to El Paso, TX, where Stella attended second through sixth grade at Scottsdale Elementary. The family then moved back to Las Cruces where Stella attended Lynn Junior High. She graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1971. Stella then moved back to El Paso where she lived with her “Aunt” Ramona and completed International Business School as an Executive Secretary. In the following years in El Paso, Stella worked for Caravanas a Mexico, a travel agency; for Attorney Julian Horwitz; at the El Paso Times-Herald; and for Hicks-Ponder, a division of Wrangler Jeans. When Stella’s parents moved to Albuquerque, she followed them, and that’s where her daughter, Cassaundra was born. Subsequently, Stella worked for her father at Save Wise Grocery Stores as a cashier and bookkeeper. Stella’s son, Joseph, was born in 1984. Stella then attended Heights Beauty College in Albuquerque and became a beautician. Wanting to further her education, Stella attended Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (now CNM) and earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2003. Subsequently, Stella attended the University of New Mexico and was one course shy of earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Child Studies. Stella loved to read and spent many hours at UNM’s Zimmerman Library and Albuquerque’s Main Library. Stella particularly loved reading about local history. She combined her passions to research the Gomez Family History in southern New Mexico and El Paso and wrote two volumes which she presented as gifts to family members. Finally, for many years, Stella was an active member of Victory Love Fellowship Church, now known as Legacy. At Legacy, Stella was a member of the LilKidz Ministry helping to take care of babies and toddlers. On her own time, with a group of friends, she sometimes served at Noon Day Ministry helping to feed the homeless. Stella will always be remembered as a passionate, loving sister and friend. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Rock at NoonDay, PO Box 25451, Albuquerque, NM, 87125 or at therockabq.com.