It is with great sadness we announce the passing of a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and neighbor. Nellie Castillo Pantoja earned many titles in her 86 years of life, each role as important to her as the next.

Born June 17,1935 in Rodey, NM.  Nellie was an enduringly warm and positive force for her family and friends, perhaps the result of finding her true love so early in life at age 12, when she met Ruben G. Pantoja, who would later become her husband of 59 years.

Nellie’s sweet and pleasant demeanor could also perhaps be credited partly to her pure delight for desserts of any kind. If she could have eaten dessert for every meal, she would have.

Nellie entered eternal rest on April 12, 2022 in Lordsburg, NM at home surrounded by her loving and loud family, a testament to her lifelong dedication to their love and care.

A prolific conversationalist, Nellie always welcomed a long phone call. It was a known fact that calling her home between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. would result in a busy signal. Her home was always filled with family, friends and laughter. She always knew how to manage and gracefully give everyone her time and attention.

A homemaker caring for her 10 children and grandchildren, Nellie worked incredibly hard throughout her life to open up new possibilities and opportunities for her children and grandchildren. Her legacy lives on in their success and prosperity.

Nellie is survived by her sister, Juanita Martinez of Hatch, NM, children Ruben Pantoja (Mary), Frances Rosales(Marty), Gloria Mata (Monchie), Cathy Parker (Jimmy), Andy Pantoja (Renee), Rosie Pantoja (Chad), Chris Pantoja (Mary), Christina Pantoja (Joe), Olivia Pantoja and her very special friend, Dora Placencia. She was a grandmother to her beloved 25 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Mom will be sorely missed but live on in our hearts forever. Her life, love and faith was a blessing to everyone that knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents Domingo and Antonia Castillo, her loving husband, Ruben, daughter, Sandra Pantoja and 5 brothers and 5 sisters.

Services will be held Tuesday, April 19 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with a visitation at 9 a.m., followed by a rosary and funeral mass, followed by interment at Shakespeare Cemetery in Lordsburg, NM where her final resting place will be next to her loving husband and daughter.