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Delphie Theresa Gallegos, 93, passed away in her home on May 23, 2024. Her daughter, Cathryn Warner was by her side for her transition. Delphie was born Delfiña Theresa Roybal to Maria de la Luz and Louis Roybal, Sr. in the small mining town of Cokedale, Colorado on May 20, 1931. Her family would travel to Taos, New Mexico in June so she could be baptized at the same church as her father, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Delphie was the eldest of seven children and learned much of her wisdom by working by her mother’s side, helping with her siblings while her father served in the Navy. All of this training would come in handy later as the mother of nine. As a child, Delphie moved a few times before her family settled in the small town of Fruita, CO. She graduated from Fruita High School in 1949 with her sister, Veida, since her family had moved from Trinidad her senior year. She dated Gene Gallegos from Grand Junction, and they wed in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 20, 1951. Gene was in the Air Force when they married, so her life as a military wife began that day. She supported her partner for an almost 30 year military career, and then again when recruited by the IRS/Department of Treasury. He would retire 20 years later. Delphie, an amazing matriach, birthed and raised her family while “traveling the planet”, moving and setting up their home more than 10x, two of which were overseas in Turkey and the Philippines. She was able to tolerate most of what was served up when one is the mother of three boys and six girls. Delphie endured all their childhood angsts, new schools, lots of vaccination appointments, sports outings, the goodbyes to friends, and then the woes of finding new ones. She taught her children how to shop wisely to prepare and cook great meals, and ensured they learned to swim with the Red Cross. In addition to being a diva homemaker and caregiver, she was an amazing seamstress, and made two of her daughters wedding dresses and hat, yes, a one-of-a-kind wedding hat! Whenever they moved, the sewing machine was packed up, then unpacked, ready to sew blouses and dresses for her daughters and herself to wear to school, church, proms, dances and work. She also made clothes for her younger sisters when they were in school. Delphie loved to travel with Gene to the Southwest to visit with family and attend family reunions. They also traveled to other parts of the country to visit with their grandchildren and friends. She learned to cook wonderful dishes infused with those fabulous New Mexico/Colorado flavors from her mother, which always left you wanting more and reminding you from whence you came. She learned to hang back at the caddy shack while her husband golfed, and eventually took it up for a brief time. They also loved to bowl together. She enjoyed a cold beer with either one of her favorite snacks, popcorn or chips and Pace salsa. She made her grandchildren feel loved, leaving them fighting for the seat next to her for the best back scratches. Grandma always had a ice cream treat handy or depending on when you came by, maybe a bean burrito, a bowl of chaquehue, or green Chile gravy. Delphie Gallegos was preceded in death by husband of 70 “Platinum” years, Gene Gallegos, who passed in November 2021; oldest son, Michael Gallegos, October 2021; grandson, William Marcello Nieves and youngest daughter, Tina Brown, November 2019. She is survived by seven children: Anna Gallegos Hunt (Jeff Hunt), Lucy Zick, David Gallegos, Mary Louise Gallegos, Cathryn Warner, Timothy Gallegos (Annette) and Rebecca Gallegos (Danny Zingarelli); and her 15 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Delphie’s surviving siblings grieve her passing: Veida Tenhagen, Louis Roybal, Jr., John Albert Roybal, Mary Jane Wells, and Joseph Roybal, along with more than 50 nieces and nephews. Memorial services to be held Friday, June 14, 2024 at Chapel of the Light, 1620 W Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA. Visitation & Rosary 11:00 am, Funeral Service 11:30. Burial to follow at St Peter’s Cemetery, 264 N Blythe Ave, Fresno, CA.

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Delphie Theresa Gallegos

May 20, 1931 - May 23, 2024