Marcela Gutierrez

Marcela Gutierrez Passed Peacefully into God's eternal care on Sunday, October 11, 2026. She was born on Tuesday, January 31, 1933 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

She was preceded in death by her parents, del Gutierrez Sr, and Lola Gutierrez. She is survived by her sister, Ursula Valles; her brother, del Gutierrez Jr., spouse Eloisa, her godchildren, Valerie Gutierrez, Vanessa Valles, and William Juzang; and many beloved nieces and nephews. To many others, she was a second mother, a mentor, and a ;chrished source of guidance and support.

Marcela graduated from Albuquerque High School and attended Draughons Business College. She began her career as a stenographer with the Bureau of Reclamation before moving to the Department of Defense at Kirtland Air Force Base. Seeking new opportunities for professional growth, she accepted a position with the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C., where she worked for three years.

She subsequently returned to Kirtland Air Force Base, where she spent the next 35 years as a procurement analyst and contract specialist, overseeing contracts ranging from $50,000 to multimillion-dollar projects. She broke multiple barriers in federal service.

Upon retirement, Marcela turned her attention to her lifelong passion for New Mexican history and culture. For the next 16 years, she volunteered in the genealogy library at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, where she found both a sense of purpose an a welcoming community.

In a 2017 interview with the Albuquerque Journal, she reflected on how she found her place there:

"When I got to the National Hispanic Cultural Center, I was assigned to the genealogy library and this is where I've made my home. I love the mission and I love the community."

The library offered Marcela an opportunity to explore her own family history and deepen her connection to the writers she admired. An avid reader, she was especially drawn to New Mexican authors, including Rudolfor Anaya. As she put it, "Their stories are my stories."

Marcela cultivated a rich circle of friendships and loved to travel. She collected Native American and Hispanic art, reflecting her deep appreciation for the cultures and traditions of New Mexico. her interests extended to opera, music, and the humanities, all of which enriched a life marked by curiosity, cultural pride, and a love of learning.

Marcela leaves behind a legacy of professional achievement, cultural devotion, generosity, and mentorship. She will be remembered with affection by her family, her many friends, and all those whose lives she touched.

Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on THursday, November 5, 2026, at the Shrine of St. Bernadette, 11509 Indian School Road NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Internment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Bernadette Shrine Pantry.