Rose Wheelock Tafoya

Rose Wheelock Tafoya, 82 born on Wednesday April 12, 1939, lifelong resident of Algodones NM, passed away in her family home on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, with her loving family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, George, and Lorena Wheelock. Biological parents, Justo Lopez, and Pauline Wade; great-grandson Stephen Padilla, son-n-law Dan Regalado; sisters Anne Corte and Barbara Wheelock; brothers George, Jim and Toby Wheelock. Rose is survived by her loving husband Herman Tafoya, to whom she was married for 60 wonderful years; her beloved sister JoAnn Barnicki; brothers Sam Zieske, Raymond Lopez, Pete Lopez; her children George Tafoya (Juanita), Steven Tafoya (Christy), Rose Ann Tafoya, Gary Tafoya (Lauren), Susan Tafoya (Alfonso); her grandchildren, Lorena Rose Tafoya, Georgette Tafoya, Eric Tafoya, Christian Trujillo, Sean Tafoya, Arika Tafoya, Jaysen Tafoya; and her great-grandchildren Kaylah Rose, William, Marcus, Wade, Izabella Rose, Jayce, Elena Rose, Madeline Rose. And many relatives and friends.  Rose was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind years of beautiful memories.

Rose had a love for both learning and teaching. She graduated with honors from Bernalillo High School in 1959 and worked for the Sandoval County courthouse until she married Herman in 1960. Throughout her years as a devoted wife and mother, she pursued her education in Early Childhood development from the University of New Mexico and Catechist studies with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Rose was a dedicated teacher throughout her life, in public schools, government education programs and the Catholic church. Rose was also dedicated to her Algodones community, supporting the local Elementary school and San Jose mission in various roles.

Rose enjoyed life after retirement to the fullest; she loved to sew, quilt, read, work crossword puzzles, bake, enjoy her favorite TV programs and evening drives in Algodones with her sweetheart, Herman.

Urn bearers will be Eric, Christian, Sean, Jaysen, William, Marcus, Wade and Jayce.

Rose will be remembered for her loving heart and always working to build irreplaceable relationships with everyone who crossed her path.