Sara "Sarita" Gomez

Sarita passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of 88 years rooted in deep relationships and unconditional love. To the world, Sara C. Gomez (Sarita) was a mother and grandmother; to her family, she was the world.

Born in San Francisco del Oro, Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1938, Sara’s life was defined by the deep bonds she formed early on in her large, loving family. She was deeply shaped by her paternal grandparents, Epimeño and Maurita Cano; her maternal grandparents, Vicente Acosta and Manuelita Espino; her beloved aunts and uncles; her parents, Tomas Cano Cano and Josefina Cano Acosta; and her siblings, Emma Lopez, Daniel Cano, Epimeño Cano, Emilia Resendiz, Josefina Terrones, Tomas Cano, Ofelia Melendez, and her sister Emilia, who passed away in infancy.

Her life journey took her from her childhood in San Francisco del Oro and Villa Ahumada, Chihuahua, during the 1940s and 50s, to her marriage to her one true love, Manuel (Manny) Gomez in the late 1950s and 1960s.Together, they began building their family in Los Angeles, later briefly moving to Juárez, Chihuahua, before ultimately settling in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Together, they built a beautiful family, ensuring their sons and daughter never lacked for a single day of love. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Hector and Connie Gomez, Ruben and Cindy Gomez, Oscar and Hayde Gomez, and Nancy Gomez (and her late husband, Leonard Montoya). A matriarch in every sense of the word, Sara lived with and loved her granddaughters, Jessica and Jade, until her final days. Her loving spirit is carried forward by all of her grandchildren: Jessica Gomez Montoya, Jade Elizabeth Montoya, Ryan Christopher Gomez, Nathan Michael Gomez, Bailey Gomez Vereen, Christopher Ryan Gomez, Matthew Ryan Romero, and Emiliano Antonio Gomez Caro.

Continuing her lifelong thread of caring, Sara's deep connections with friends and neighbors were a cherished part of her life. From the lasting bonds she formed in Los Angeles, Juárez, Arrey, and Las Cruces—including Maria Carrillo Montañez, la familia Covarrubias, la familia Trujillo, Felipa, Millie, to her current friends in Las Cruces, la familia Jimenez, Linda Perea, and la familia Gutierrez with whom she always kept in touch.

She deeply relished being recognized in town, lighting up anytime she was warmly greeted out in public with, “hay Sarita! ¿Cómo ha estado?” Sarita touched countless lives, and while it is impossible to name every person who meant something to her, please know that if you shared a conversation, a laugh, or a moment with her, you were a treasured part of her world.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Getz Funeral Home, located at 1410 E. Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88001. She will be laid to rest at 12:00 PM at Hillcrest Cemetery, 5140 W. Picacho Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88007. Following the burial, a reception at 2:00 PM serving food and drink will take place at the Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center, 304 Bell Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88005. All loved ones are warmly welcome to join the family in celebrating her life.

Goodbye, sweet Sarita. Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled, and the world is a little dimmer without your bright light. We will miss your warmth, your laughter, and your boundless love every single day, but we take comfort knowing you are finally reunited with your one true love, Manny. Rest in peace, our beautiful queen—you will remain our entire world forever.