Nicole Gonzales Garcia

Joy Mondragon

Joy Mondragon, age 57, passed away unexpectedly on February 25th, 2023. She was born July 1965 in Alamosa CO. to Carlos “Charlie” Mondragon, and Lucy Valdez. Growing up she lived in Colorado and Wyoming, before settling in New Mexico at a young age with her father, and siblings. Joy was always more of a tom boy and was more often than not, always getting into messes and mischief. Growing up she was also very competitive and athletic. This continued into her teens where she was an all-around athlete in volleyball, track, and basketball. She lettered in multiple sports, was on the honor roll, and graduated from Taos High School in 1983. Joy had many career paths that she explored but eventually found her calling as a care giver for home health.
Joy was a very loving, giving, and caring person, who was always available to help in any way that she could. That love for others showed in the pride and joy she took in being a caregiver throughout her life. For 26 years she took care of her partner Gilbert, after his accident leaving him paralyzed. These two were always on the go and could be seen anywhere from in town, to the mountains, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, and sometimes Colorado. The love they had for each other showed in their happiness for these years until his unexpected death in 2019. On any given day Joy would always have a smile on her face and a hug for anyone she saw. She was always laughing, making jokes, talking, and enjoyed visiting with family and friends. She also loved being outdoors, gardening, exploring in the mountains, baking, cooking, and playing games. Joy was a wonderful daughter, sister, niece, partner, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin, and friend. We are all so blessed and grateful for the years we had her in our lives and for all the memories we made along the way.
Joy is preceded in death by her longtime partner, Gilbert Gonzales, and her father Charlie Mondragon. She is survived by her daughter, Nicole Gonzales (Pat Garcia), grandsons, Mateo and Tomas Garcia, granddaughter, Jaynie Bowes (Brent), and great-grandchildren, Aria and Jayden sisters, Lupita Mondragon, Patsy Torres (Jesse), Valorie Mondragon (David Weaver), brothers, Gene Mondragon (Joyce), Carlos Mondragon, all her nieces, nephews, many relatives, and friends.
Rosary will be recited Friday, March 10th at 6 PM at Rivera Chapel in Taos. Funeral mass will be on Saturday, March 11th at 10 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Interment for Joy at The Llano Quemado Cemetery will be announced on a later date.
NOTE:  LOCATION OF ROSARY WAS CHANGED TO FUNERAL HOME.
Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home.  To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com

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