Josie G. Contreras

Josie G. Contreras (nee Josefina Gonzales) was born on September 11, 1930. After a beautiful life lived with a full heart, she was called home to the Lord on November 12, 2022, at the age of 92.
Josie was born in San Augustin, NM to Rosendo and Martina Gonzales and was the eldest of eight children. At the age of 12 she went to Allison James Presbyterian Boarding School in Santa Fe. She then went on to graduate from Menaul High School in 1948 and from NM Highlands University in 1957 with a BA in Education and in 1974 with an MA in Bilingual Education. She was a beloved elementary school teacher in the Las Vegas area for most of the 33 years of her teaching career. She loved serving her community in this way.
Josie met the love of her life, Joe Contreras, at Menaul High School in the late 1940s. They were married in August of 1950 and started their family in October of 1952. She was the proud mother of Eli, Diane, and Eric Contreras. Even into her later days, she spoke of all the fun memories they built as a young family.
Josie was known for her kind deeds, and she enjoyed cultivating friendships. She enjoyed having company and her favorite thing was to fix a meal to share with friends or relatives. She liked to visit with others and never experienced a lack for words. Many of her stories were about her childhood experiences and her life in the village of San Augustin. She often recalled her years in boarding school and told riveting stories about what life was like in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. She spoke of her teaching experiences with such fondness, and always reminded us about how much she loved her family and in-laws.
Josie was a member of the Journey Seventh Day Adventist Church. She was proud that she was on the planning committee for the building of the church at its present location. She taught Children's Sabbath School for several years, was a former treasurer for the church, and operated The Good Neighbor Community Program for a few years. She was a member of the church's singing group, participated in cooking classes, and she was happy she attended a couple of General Assemblies, the international conferences held by the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Josie always looked forward to the Sabbath for it was a day of worship and an opportunity for her to have a meal with her church family.
Josie is survived by her three children, Eli, Diane, and Eric Contreras; her two loving and devoted grandchildren, Monessa Contreras and MJ Montoya (Josh); her two great-grandchildren, Matilda Scobee and Echo Montoya; and her siblings: Ross Gonzales (Clara), Bernardo Gonzales (Lily), Arturo Gonzales (Josie), Mary Ludi (Leonard), and David Elmer Gonzales (Anna Mae). She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, other relatives, numerous friends, and her church family. She is preceded in death by her husband Joe, mother Martina, father Rosendo, sister Sophia, and brother Lorenzo.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at the Journey Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 102 State Road 65, across from Luna Community College. Interment to follow at the
Masonic Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the following pallbearers: Archie Allemand Sr., Archie Allemand Jr., Manuel Allemand, Adrián Allemand, Bernardo Gonzales, and Clyde Gonzales.
Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary 600 Reynolds Ave Las Vegas, NM 87701 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.
Please visit our online website www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.
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