Celina Montoya

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HELPER- Loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, Maria Celina (Sally) Montoya, age 82, passed away Nov. 30, 2009 at her daughters home surrounded by her loving family. Celina was born to Celso and Matilda Valdez Gutierrez on Oct. 8, 1927 in McPhee, Colo.
She married Candido (Candy) Montoya on June 28, 1948 in Helper at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. He passed away March 4, 1989.
She helped raise her grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Family and friends are what she cherished most. There could never be enough people surrounding her. Celina greeted everyone with her big smile and dimples.
She was a devout member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church where she was a member of the choir for more than 30 years. She was also a member and past director of the Notre Dame de Lourdes Spanish Choir for 35 years.
Wherever you could hear music Celina would be close by. Music was her ministry for the church that she loved so much. She prayed daily and kept her faith in God until the end. She was an avid porcelain doll collector and what can we say about her many salt and pepper shakers.
Celina is survived by her children, Celso (Kimberly) Montoya, Spring Glen; Marcella (Guadalupe) Molinar, and Robert Montoya, both of Helper; grandchildren, Mark Montoya, Melissa (Adam) Rogers, Mathew Montoya, all of Helper; Michael Montoya, Spring Glen; Merlinda Molinar, Austin Thorngren, both of Helper; Misty (Dean) Albright and family, Allison Colunga, both of Price; great- grandchildren, Mason and Makai Rogers, Helper; brothers, Antonio “Tony” (Debbie) Gutierrez, Los Alamos, NM; Robert “Bobby” (Beverly) Gutierrez, Wellington; in-laws, Flossie Montoya, Clearfield; Eufemia Montoya, Helper; Leo Montoya, Salt Lake City; Ubaldo Miera, Clearfield; special friends, Tillie Martinez, Bernie Mascarenas and Christina Sanchez and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Candido Montoya, and great grandchild Maddux Rogers.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Daniel C. Monahan and staff, the staff of Parkdale Care Center, Tisa Pendergrass and staff of Community Nursing Services and Father Edward Metzger.
Funeral Mass Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, 10 a.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church, Helper. Vigil service Friday evening 7 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home in Price. Family was at Mitchell Funeral Home Friday and Saturday one hour prior to services. Committal service Mt. View Cemetery, Helper.