Flora Maria Gonzales

Flora Montoya, of Cheyenne, WY (formally of Rawlins) passed away at the age of 90, surrounded by family, on February 5th, 2025.

 Named Maria Floraida Martinez, born on November 4, 1934, in Cleveland, New Mexico to Adolfo Martinez and Bersabe Sanchez Martinez. She later moved to Wyoming where she met and married Christopher Montoya in 1954.

 Flora was kind, caring, and thoughtful, often demonstrating love to family and friends with gifts she created herself. She had a great sense of humor with quick and clever responses that were always a step ahead, and often funny. With a zeal and talent for fixing and creating things, she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, playing board games, and thrill rides at carnivals. She loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, traveling, and was always up for a good game of Parcheesi, or bingo, and was a competitive bowler for many years.

 Flora was also known for her deep-seated faith in Jesus, and love for God. Her journey to salvation began in 1980 when she was baptized and received the Holy Spirit according to Jesus’s instructions in the Bible. She loved reading her Bible, learning about her precious Jesus, and continuously prayed for family and friends. As a member of the United Pentecostal Church of Rawlins, she served as the Ladies Auxiliary Leader for many years, played the guitar, and was a greeter at the door. She enjoyed using her cooking skills in making the church fundraisers successful, and is remembered for her tamales, enchiladas, green and red chili, tortillas, and baked pies and cookies. Anything that she set her hands to do was beyond exceptional. Flora always had a fresh pot of coffee brewing for friends and family who often visited her, sharing stories, laughs, and encouraging words.

 Mom, you will forever be missed, always loved, and never forgotten. We know you are dancing in heaven and enjoying eternal life to its fullest. Your beautiful smile, positive attitude, and strong determination to enjoy life while being a friend to all is a tribute to your faithfulness to God and a shining light to all who knew you. God set you apart from the beginning to live your life for Him on earth, and with Him in eternity.

 Flora is survived by her loving daughters, Eva Sandoval, Rita Montoya, Helen (Samuel Martinez), Christine Martinez, Connie Montoya, Julie Montoya, and Sue (Mark Padilla). And, she is lovingly adored by 19 grandchildren, 47 great and many great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

 Flora was proceeded in death by her sister Eva (Cordova) Martinez, and brothers, George, Joe, Mike, and Gilbert.