HELEN MAY GALLEGOS

passed away October 11, 2010, in Rancho Cucamonga, California at the age of 75, following a long illness. Mrs. Gallegos, a long time resident of Upland, California, was born in Pomona, California on May 26, 1935. She graduated from Pomona High School in 1954 and received her undergraduate degree and teaching credential from Cal Poly Pomona. She worked for the Pomona Unified School District for over 30 years. During her tenure she served as a teacher's aide at Madison Elementary School while attending Cal Poly University to complete her teaching credential and as a teacher at Washington Elementary School until her retirement in the late 1990's. She also served as a teacher-mentor for the Claremont Colleges and was honored with the distinction of being nominated as "Teacher of the Year" in the City of Pomona in the early 80's. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ernest E. Gallegos, two sons, Ernest Gallegos, Jr. (a doctor of chiropractic medicine), and Vernon Gallegos (professor of dance and choreography at Cupertino College), and 5 grandchildren, Kaylee, Tess, Saydee, Adalane and Paul Gallegos-Sowards. She is also survived by six siblings: Peter Hernandez, Jr. of Palm Springs, CA, Dolores Camacho of Banning, CA, Patricia Roybal of Santa Maria, CA, Mary Alice Castaneda of Pomona, CA, David Hernandez of Cherry Valley, CA, and Evelyn Clark of La Verne, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Alberta Hernandez and sister, Margaret Gonzalez. Before she became ill, Helen loved traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Visitation will be held at Todd Memorial Chapel, 570 North Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91767 on Friday, October 15, 2010 from 5 P.M. - 8 P.M. with a Vigil at 6:30 p.m. A Funeral will be held at Todd Memorial Chapel, on Oct. 16, 2010, at 8:30 A.M. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 444 East Lexington Avenue, Pomona, CA 91766.