Patricia Ann Rizo

    Patricia Ann Rizo, age 67, was born on Sunday, April 15th, 1956, in Tularosa NM. She was the only daughter of Jose S. and Virginia M. Gonzales. She was the oldest sibling of Larry and Lionel Gonzales. 

    Pat attended Tularosa schools and graduated in 1974. She was a member of the Tularosa High School band during her years at THS. In 2002 she graduated college from NMSU-A. 

    At the age of 26 she married Francisco D. Rizo at St. Jude Catholic Church, in San Patrico, NM. They spent the rest of his life together. She had four wonderful children whom she loved dearly, Julian, Javier, Teresa, and Tomas. She never met a stranger and always told them stories of her grandchildren, whom she loved with all heart. She almost always had a smile on her face and always loved family get togethers. She enjoyed going to any activity that her grandchildren were in, and always cheered them on. When she could not make it, she would cheer them from home, even if they did not realize it. 

    She spent most of her life in Tularosa. But also loved the times she had throughout her life in San Patricio. You could find her helping with many youth sports. Over the years she was a football commissioner in Tularosa for peewee and youth football. She worked almost every type of youth sport concession which included volleyball, football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling. In her spare time, she enjoyed telling jokes, taking photos, crocheting blankets and dish towels. In recent years, she loved to feed the hummingbirds and watch them fly around. You could always find a Pepsi in her hand. She was always ready to make tortillas for her grandchildren. 

    Pat gained her wings, and went with our lord and savior, on the early morning of February 8, 2024. She will be missed by her family and friends. Her memories and stories will live on with all that knew her.

    She is survived by her loving children Julian Gonzales and wife Jessica, Javier Gonzales and fiancé Hannah, Teresa Sanchez and husband Matthew, and Tomas Guilez and wife Park.; grandchildren, Selena Gonzales, Ryan Gonzales, Sydney Thomas, Dane Thomas, Cara Henderson, Lily Robson, Emma Robson, Zander Gonzales, David Sanchez, Timothy Sanchez, Samuel Sanchez, Abrienne Foster, Camille Guilez, and Emillio Guilez; many adopted grandchildren, who include but not limited to Malik Bulloch, Perico Enjady, Amaya Johnson, Sariah Johnson, Destiny Rue and Niko Miranda; brothers, Larry Gonzales and Lionel Gonzales, nephews, Eddie Barreras, Marcos Barreras, Travis Gonzales, Lawrence Gonzales, and Conrad Gonzales; nieces, Chassidy Gonzales, Santana Coda, and Justine Candelaria; many great nephews and nieces, to include a few, Fawna, Augusta, Richard, Grayson and Garon; aunt Orlidia Molinar and husband Augustine; first cousins, Linda, Melvin, Mitch, Christopher, and Monica; one extra special cousin who was more of a sister and always by her side, Brenda Barreras and husband Phil; many other extended family and friends. 

    She is proceeded in death by her husband, Francisco D. Rizo; parents, Jose S. and Virginia M. Gonzales; uncles, Andrew Herrera and wife Evangelina Herrera and Martin Herrera; grandparents, Julian and Natalia Herrera and Florencio Gonzales. 

    Patricia services will be Friday March 15th, 2024. We will depart from All American Park in Ruidoso Downs, NM at 8:30am. We will procced to St. Jude Catholic Church in San Patricio, NM. Rosary will be at 9:30am, Funeral mass to follow at 10:00am. Burial of ashes will take place at St. Jude Cemetery following mass. A potluck will take place immediately following burial at St. Jude Hall in San Patricio, NM. Pallbearers will be Phil Barreras and Mario Sanchez. Honorary Pallbearers will be all her grandchildren and great nephew Richard.

    Pat will forever be loved by her family and friends. 

    The Rizo family has entrusted their loved one to the care of NDC Direct Cremation Services.

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