Belinda Gallegos

Belinda Mercedes Gallegos 1918-2012
94 of Denver, died on Monday, June 25, 2012. She is survived by her sons: Gary Gallegos and Rodger (Beatrice) Gallegos. Her granddaughter, Bryanne Gallegos. Her brother, Al Muniz. Preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert Gallegos; her parents, Sandalio and Emilia Muniz; her son, Lou, her brother, Sandy (Margaret-surviving sister-in-law) Muniz; and her grandson, Chad Alexander.
Memorial donations may be made, in Belinda's name, to any charity of your choice.

To share a special memory of Belinda or leave a condolence for her family, please visit the guestbook below.

Born in Capulin, Colorado on May twenty fourth, 1918, was the eldest of her beloved parent's (Sandalio and Emilia Muniz) children. She had three brothers, Sandalio Jr. "Sandy", Alfonso "Al", and Porfilio. She had one sister named Filomena. Porfilio and Filomena died when they were very young children. She is survived by her brother, Al Muniz.
She enjoyed her childhood growing up in a farm and ranch. The fresh air and work made her healthy and strong.
She enjoyed high school. Her gregarious and sincere personality earned her true friends. She and her friends were enthusiastic supporters of their high school - La Jara High School "The Wildcats". While in high school, she won a typing award and competed in a state high school typing contest in Greeley. She graduated in 1936.
She loved hairstyling and music. So, she chose to become a beautician. She moved to Denver, Colorado in June 1941. She attended Bonnie's School of Beauty. To pay for not only tuition but room and board, she worked as a maid. She also worked during WWII in a tent factory.
Her instructors at the beauty school noted her natural talent for hair styling. She was considered one of their top students. She graduated with high grades and easily passed the state exam for her beautician's license.
In 1946, she met her future husband, Gilbert Gallegos, a WWII combat veteran. They met via his cousin Faye who had become a close friend of Belinda's. She said that on the day she and Gilbert Gallegos met, he told her that he was going to marry her someday. She thought no, no. However, Gilbert's persistent wooing won her and they married December 26th, 1947. The marriage produced three sons—Gary, Lou and Rodger.
In 1958, her husband had a major heart attack. Her efforts at mouth to mouth resuscitation kept him alive and paramedics were then able to transport him to a hospital for treatment.
Because of her husband's heart condition and inability to work, she went back to work to support her family. She opened and operated a beauty shop in Antonito, Colorado for several years. Because of her expertise and pleasant manner with customers, she always had a steady stream of loyal customers. Her beauty shop became a "community center" for women in Antonito.
After the death of her husband in February 1990, she moved to Denver to live with her eldest son, Gary. She moved from La Jara, Colorado. Gary became her caregiver.
The last eleven days of her life were spent at the Sable Care and Rehabilitation Center, 656 Dillon Way, Aurora, Colorado.
She died at approximately 3:40 PM, June 25, 2012 of natural causes---probably a heart attack.
God blessed her sons with the world's best mother. Thank you God, thank you mama!