Maria Florida Pacheco

“I am here in Heaven, Dear ones. O so Happy and so Bright! This eternal place offers pure joy, peace, and beauty. All pains and troubles are gone. Every restless trouble has passed. I am now at peace forever. Jesus came Himself for me.”

With this exciting expectation, Maria Florida Pacheco, a lifelong resident of Talpa and at her home, went to be with the Lord on April 3, 2026, at the fulfilling age of 95 years old. She was born on September 7, 1930, to Frank† and Lucia Herrera Valerio† at the height of the Great Depression. She saw the beginning and end of World War II as she attended Taos High School. The impact of these two life-altering events strengthened her determination to cherish God, her family, and friends for the rest of her days. She was a constant source of strength, happiness and love to everyone.

On December 30, 1950, Maria walked down the church aisle to become the beautiful and blushing bride of a determined young man who had extremely good taste, Mr. Florencio Pacheco† of Canon. After her loving husband’s passing on July 22, 1994, she remained faithful and devoted only to him until her death. Her favorite song was “I want to stroll over Heaven with you” by Alan Jackson. We are confident that our Father and Mother are strolling over Heaven together. Out of this holy matrimony, God blessed their home with two sons, Sammy Lawrence Pacheco (Cyndi†) and James Christopher Pacheco, and two daughters Irene Duran (Lloyd) and Pastor Florence Rael (Pastor Charley Leroy II†).

She is remembered by eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Charley Leroy III Rael (Linda Medina), Suzanne Pamela Vigil (Eligio), Melanie DeAnna Valdez (Joaquin), Ronnie Lee Rael (Mayra), Cammie Flores (Nahim), Joshua Ryan Pacheco (Desserae Cordova), Nikki Pacheco and Jeremiah Rael. Madison Graves was brought up with the family and is considered by Maria as a granddaughter.

Her great-grandchildren are Elizabeth Duran (Joshua Casados), Justin and Ashlei Vigil, Taylor, Andrew, Jaelynn and Bailey Valdez, Usher, Logan, Aiden, Lucas and Ryan Rael and Jayden Medina. Her two great-great grandchildren are Miguel and Andres Casados.

Maria is survived by her brothers Henry Valerio (Margaret), and Wilfred Frank also known as Pancho Valerio (Reene). She was preceded in death by two brothers, Eppie Valerio† (Isabel†) and Cruz Valerio† (Rosabell†). Both Eppie and Cruz served their country as soldiers (Veterans). Eppie passed at 98 years, one day after his birthday and a week or so before Maria. Her living sisters are Aurora Archuleta (Wilbert†, also a Veteran) and Dolores Hughes (Michael†, a Veteran). The oldest sister, Evangline Romero† (Candido†) predeceased her. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Ana Quintana, as well as numerous cherished nephews and nieces. Her god children are Sean Thomas Hughes, Jeremiah Allan Rael and Melissa Trowbridge who loved her dearly as she did them.

Her brothers and sisters-in-law who predeceased her were Eliu Pacheco†, a Veteran, Silas Pacheco† a Veteran, (Helen†), Mardoqueo Pacheco† (Oralia), Teresa Gonzales† (Ernie†), Juanita Leyba† (Lee†), and Simarinda Gomez† (Jackie†). Her father-in-law, Jose Bautista Pacheco†, a Veteran, served our country in World War I and her mother-in-law (Susanna Vigil Pacheco†) treated her as a daughter in the Pacheco family.

Her husband, Florencio, and Maria worked tirelessly to build a home with God as their foundation. They worked side by side, with hard work and commitment to the family structure and community friends. Maria was a tower of strength for her family and the glue that kept her immediate and extended family together. In her younger years, she took care of 24 children while their parents went to work. Her tender eyes watched over all of them and loving ears listened to their every word. Some of them, now adults, occasionally visited her to thank her for her warm and strong love that comforted them in their time of need. She was also a residential cleaner until the age of 85 and was loved by her many employers. All of her employers admired her, and many eventually became her close friends. She opened her home to everyone with love. She was always lending a helping hand. The glow of her vibrant, faith-filled life will always light up the ones who were fortunate to meet her. As long as love stays alive, no one can truly die. Maria Pacheco was loved by so many people. She was a prayer warrior that inspired many to follow her example. She certainly will be missed by all of us.

Funeral services will be held at Mount Zion Tabernacle, 1511 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, across from the El Prado post office, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, to celebrate her beautiful life that transitioned into heaven. A meal in her honor will be served immediately after the service. Interment will then be at the Descanso Cemetery in Ranchos de Taos. Pallbearers are Charley Leroy Rael III, Ronnie Lee Rael, Joshua Ryan Pacheco, Justin Lloyd Vigil, Sean Thomas Hughes and Andrew Daniel Valdez.

The family of Maria Florida Pacheco has entrusted the care of their loved one to the caring staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. 866-657-4019 www.devargastaos.com