Ana Gavina (Cuevas) Baltazar

A memorial mass for Ana Baltazar, 54, of Portales will be announced at a later time.

Ana Gavina Baltazar was born Nov. 25, 1968 in Pecos, TX to the home of Ignacio and Juana (Hernandez) Cuevas, and died early on the morning of Dec. 18, 2022 at her home in Portales.  The family moved to Portales shortly after she was born.  Ana was a 1986 graduate of Portales High School. 

Ana worked in the retail industry and as a caregiver for several years.  Later she went on to study at Eastern New Mexico University and at Clovis Community College where she trained for her new career as a beautician.  Finally, Ana was employed by the Portales Schools.  Her first position was as a substitute custodian.  From there she transferred to food services, and by the time she retired in 2019, Ana was the head cook at Lindsey School.

In 1987, Ana met Joel Baltazar of Portales.  They were married on Aug. 26, 1988 at St. Helen Catholic Church. They had three sons together, and in later years they adopted Nacho Cuevas III and Esmeralda Cuevas.

Following Ana’s retirement, she enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren.  She also liked to play Bingo and go to the casinos with her husband, Joel.  She was a very sweet, loving woman with a heart of gold, and was always ready to welcome you with open arms.

She loved her children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews, and had a special bond with each one.  She was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church.

She is survived by her husband, Joel Baltazar, her three sons, Johnny Baltazar and wife, Amanda Rodriguez of Clovis, Joel Baltazar and wife, Rudianna Ornelas and Ignacio Cuevas III of Portales; one daughter, Esmeralda Cuevas; six grandchildren, Taylor, Damien, Luciano, Jesse, Francisco and Ezequel Baltazar; her niece, Cassandra Maestas of Portales, with whom she had a very special bond and loved her as if she was her own daughter; two sisters, Josefina Torres and husband, Tommy of Lubbock, TX and Connie Cuevas-Florez and husband, Rene Florez of Portales.  She was preceded in death by her father, Ignacio Cuevas, her mother and step-father, Juana and Tranquilino Martinez, her brother, Ignacio Cuevas, Jr., her son, Joe Baltazar and her niece, Crystal Carbajal.

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