Sally M. Ortega

Sally M. Ortega: 76, a resident of Albuquerque, NM, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Sally was born December 18, 1948, to Reyes C. Montoya and Ramona H. Montoya in Silver City, NM. She was a graduate from Silver High School, where she enjoyed cheerleading and was proud of her honor roll academics. Growing up, Mom worked hard helping her parents in the kitchen at the Montoya Tortilla Factory, owned by her parents, and Chavez Café. Sally married on June 17, 1967, to the father of her children, Joe G. Ortega, and enjoyed several wonderful years together. Sally worked most of her life in administration, secretarial, and accounts payable jobs, including many years at the Silver City Daily Press and Southwest Offset before moving to Albuquerque, where she finally retired from Gap Inc. in accounts payable.

Sally was a free spirit with a heart of gold and was loved by so many. She loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally. She was always the life of the party with her contagious laugh. She enjoyed bowling, camping, reading, and going to the casinos. Mom’s favorite times were spending time with her family and friends. She loved listening to Mexican music with her own bursts of gritos to her favorite mariachis, especially during visits with her compas and comadres. She also enjoyed watching novellas and movies on T.V. She knew how to light a room with her beautiful smile, green eyes, kindness, and warming nature. Mom had a bouncing personality and just loved to enjoy life, laughing and being happy. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her two daughters, Denise Cunningham and her husband Patrick of Silver City, NM. and Brenda Cook and her husband Michael of Albuquerque, NM., brother, Armando Montoya, of Las Cruces, NM., sisters, Priscilla Tafoya and her husband Albino of Tucson, AZ. and Susan Gutierrez and her husband Gilbert of Tijeras, NM., grandchildren, Ashley Ortega, Amanuel (A.J.) Ortega, Adonis Ortega, Bianca Duarte and fiancé Richard, Paige, Jennifer, Sylvia Varela and her husband Marcos of Las Cruces, NM., Jordine Ortega (Jerome) of Silver City, NM., Diego Ortega of Silver City, NM., Vincent Ortega of Silver City, NM. and Evelyn Ortega of Silver City, NM., 26 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, 7 Godchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and the father of her children Joe G. Ortega of Silver City, NM.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Reyes C. Montoya and Ramona H. Montoya, her son, Joseph D. (J.D.) Ortega, nephew Reyes Holguin, and several other special family members and friends, whom she loved dearly.

Cremation will take place per Sally’s wishes with pending arrangements.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate professionals at

Trujillo Family Funeral Home

“Our Family Serving Yours”