Josephine Ruth (Archuleta) Gutierrez

In the early morning of January 16, 2018, Josephine passed away quietly, surrounded by family, after a long battle with dementia.

Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, Jose F Gutierrez. She is survived by her three children, Aaron Garcia (Sandra), Ruth Candelaria (who was also her primary caretaker), and Ida Gutierrez-Baker (Dave); seven grandchildren, Mario, Dominic, Juan (Cisca), Amanda (Issac), Brittney (Nick), Christopher, and Cory; six great-grandchildren, Kayla, Andres, Lilly, Gilbert, Ignacio, and Marlowe; and one great-great-grandchild, Ella Rae; and two sisters, Priscilla and Annie (Gilbert). She was also preceded in death by her sister, Eva and brothers, Vicente, JB, Propero, Frank, and Richard. Josephine also had many other nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Family was very important to her.

Josephine was a longtime resident of Albuquerque but was raised in Cuba, NM where she graduated high school. Before marrying Jose, she lived and worked in Santa Fe for The Motor Vehicle Department for many years. She also worked for Singer Sewing Machines and then became a full time artist. She loved going back to the family’s ranch in Cuba, where she grew up, and spent as much time there as she could. She became a very well-known artist, who painted beautiful New Mexico scenery on canvas and ceramics. She traveled the state doing art shows and had a booth at The New Mexico State Fair’s Spanish Village for many years. She also realized her dream of owning her own gift shop in Old Town for some years.

Her family was her first love, but painting was her passion. She was a member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and had strong faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ. One of her favorite quotes was: “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.” She did many small things in a great way during her 88 years.

We love you mom and will miss you fiercely but we will see you again someday in our forever home, Heaven!

A Christian Service of Remembrance will be held Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Wyoming. Pallbearers are her grandsons, Juan and Christopher Candelaria, Cory Clifford, Mario and Dominic Garcia, Issac Gomez, and nephew, David Montes.