Virginia T. Montoya, 59, died Wednesday, November 13, 2013 in Durango, Colorado, due to a short battle cancer. A rosary will be recited at Hood Mortuary Chapel on Friday, November 22, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 10:00 a.m. also at Hood Mortuary. Virginia was born October 5, 1954 in Durango, Colorado the daughter of Braulio and Alice Montoya. She grew up in Durango and attended Durango Schools. She enjoyed camping, hunting and all things outdoors, dancing and especially her family. When it came to family, it was her true joy and passion. She is survived by her sons, Braulio “Lalo” Gallegos and Steve Casias both of Durango, a granddaughter who was raised partially by Virginia: Giana Gallegos of Durango; a grandson: Kaden Gallegos of Bayfield, CO; her parents: Braulio and Alice Montoya of Durango; siblings: Alvie Mestas and Ray Montoya of Durango, Richard Montoya of Farmington, N.M., and Frances Gallegos and Leona Montoya, both of Bloomfield, N.M. She was preceded in death by her son Fabian Gallegos. In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia’s Name may be sent to the Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado Street, Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301. (from the Durango Herald 11-20-2013) Lifelong La Plata County resident Virginia T. Montoya died after a short battle with small-cell carcinoma Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, in Durango. She was 59.Ms. Montoya was born to Braulio and Alice Montoya on Oct. 5, 1954, in Durango. She grew up in Durango and attended Durango schools. Her heritage includes the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Spanish colonists in the San Luis Valley. She married Ricky Gallegos, and the couple had two children together before the marriage ended in divorce. Ms. Montoya worked as a photographer at Old Tyme Photography, an oil and lubrication mechanic at Morehart Chevrolet, bartender at El Rancho Tavern and as a hairdresser until the chemicals affected her health, her family said. An avid gardener, she had a green thumb, her family said, and loved her cats, dogs and exotic birds. “She was an avid bow hunter and rode out to hunt elk,” her son Braulio Gallegos said. “She bagged a 5.5 royal bull elk at a tme when women were not commonly known as hunters nor car mechanics.” Ms. Montoya helped raise her granddaughter, Giana Gallegos. “Virginia loved to dance and laugh and brought great energy to all she did,” her family said. “When it came to family, it was her true joy and passion.” She lived in Durango until moving to Bayfield in 1995. Ms. Montoya was preceded in death by her son Fabian Gallegos. She is survived by her sons Braulio “Lalo” Gallegos and Steve Casias, both of Durango; parents, Braulio and Alice Montoya of Durango; siblings Alvie Mestas and Ray Montoya, both of Durango, Richard Montoya of Farmington and Frances Gallegos and Leona Montoya, both of Bloomfield, N.M.; and two grandchildren. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, at Hood Mortuary Chapel, 1261 East Third Ave. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, also at Hood. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado Street, Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301.