Gloria Hernandez Najera

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by clicking here.

Gloria Najera, 80, of 1408 Hill St. Carlsbad, NM, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother passed away peacefully Thursday, September 7, 2023 at home surrounded by her children and family. The vigil will be held Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 6:00 pm at Denton-Wood Funeral Home with Deacon Manny Chavez reciting. Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 10:00 am at the San Jose Catholic Church. Fr. Juan Carlos will be the celebrant.

Interment will follow at the Carlsbad Cemetery in Carlsbad, NM. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Gloria Najera was born June 6, 1943 in Carlsbad, NM to Antonio Hernandez and Juana Jasso Hernandez. She met and married the love of her life, Jose (Chompi) Najera on January 1961. They made Carlsbad their home and she has 3 children, Suzy, Joey and Bonnie who all reside in Carlsbad.

In the early years she enjoyed being with the family camping in the Queens, especially during the Easter holidays and the Holy Ghost Campgrounds. Gloria enjoyed cooking as wells as going to casinos, dancing and gathering together with friends and family at her home or theirs for celebrations. Gloria worked at St Francis Hospital known then as Guadalupe Medical Center for 30 years as a work clerk and nurse aide until she became disabled and retired. Gloria enjoyed Bingo and painting her figurines.

Gloria helped raise all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as her own and other children, including Jack Hernandez, who adopted her as a mother/grandmother. Gloria was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother and mother figure who will be dearly missed by many in the community and will never be forgotten. You can rest now Mom and enjoy being with Dad, gazing down from Heaven and looking over the family you helped create, while your children return the love you gave to us with hugs and kisses.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband Chompi Najera, parents Antonio and Juana Hernandez, sisters Juanita Valdez, Lily Acosta, bother Shutters Hernandez. Survivors include 3 children Suzy Najera and companion Victor Mendoza, Joey Najera and wife Shannon, and Bonnie Najera, all the children live in Carlsbad, NM. There are 9 grandchildren, 23 great grand-children, 4 great-great grandchildren, sisters Pauline (Tito) Biscaino, Celina Hernandez/Martin Campos, brothers Epimanuel (Bob) Hernandez and wife Betty, Antonio (Chooky) Hernandez and wife Mary and numerous sister/brother in-laws, along with nieces/nephews from the Hernandez/Najera familia.

Pallbearers will be the grandchildren Rudy Marquez, Samantha Marquez, Trine Carrasco III, Keono Orgain, Jurias Dominquez, Ciara Najera. Honorary Pallbearers will be Eric Marquez, Jorge Herrera, Estrella Herrera and great-grandkids.

The family will have a meal following the burial at the San Jose Church Hall. Please join them and share your stories of Gloria and your memories of her.