Nellie G Willis

Nellie Gonzales Willis passed away Sept. 27, 2015, at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque. She was born Oct. 11, 1932, to Nelson C. and Mabel Valerio Gonzales of Ranchos de Taos. Nellie was a graduate from both Taos High School and New Mexico Highlands University. Her teaching career spanned from Ojo Caliente to Park Springs to Las Vegas, N.M., and to Albuquerque, where she retired after 38 years of strong dedication. She is preceded in death by her infant daughter, Rebecca Lucero; the father of her two daughters, Victor Lucero; and her parents, Nelson and Mabel Gonzales. Nellie is survived by her husband, Joseph Willis; her daughter, Celeste Lucero Telles and her husband, Randy Telles, whom she loved as a son. She is also survived by the loves of her life, her two grandchildren, Mae Busch (Steve) and Jacob Telles (Amanda); and her three great-grandchildren, Nicolas and Victoria Busch and Mina Lilly Telles. She is survived by her sisters, Lorraine Semino and Virginia Griego (Aaron); brothers, Nelson Gonzales (Esperanza), Francisco Gonzales (Prescilla) and Charlie Gonzales (Lucille); uncle, Steve Valerio (Agnes); and aunt, Susie Valerio; and many other nephews, nieces and close relatives, including the Lucero family. Nellie was known as being one of the first female Comanche dancers with the group Comanches de la Serna in Taos, that was directed by her father, Nelson. She was a second-generation educator of four generations in the Gonzales family. She loved children and was a true inspiration to all who knew her. Nellie enjoyed spending time at her home in Ranchos de Taos, where she would listen to the Spanish program KXMT. She especially loved the trips spent with her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at Second United Presbyterian Church, 812 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, on at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. Please visit Nellie's online guest register at www.riversidefunerals.com. Arrangements entrusted to Riverside Funeral Home of Los Lunas,820 Main St. NE, (505) 565-1700.