Maria Lorisa Gallego

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Maria Lorisa Gallego

Wed, 06/15/2022 - 18:23
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Maria Lorisa Gallego - daughter, sister, mother, and friend to all - went to be with the Lord on June 12, 2022.

Lorisa, as she was known by those closest to her, was born on Dec. 1, 1943, to Ben and Amelia Gallego in Alpine, Texas. After attending Alpine Centennial School she combined her affectionate personality with her love of feeding people, working in the Sul Ross State University cafeteria for more than 20 years. She then moved onto Alpine ISD, cooking for all four of her grandchildren as they attended school. She ended her career filling empty bellies and warming hearts at the Sunshine House in Alpine.

Lorisa knew that the bond between family and friends is strengthened by good food. She prided herself in the dishes and baked goods she would make for those she cared about. Most weekends you could find her driving up and down Gallego Avenue in her Crown Victoria (in the later years her blue Mercury), delivering her famous arroz con pollo to a benefit enchilada dinner, or taking 20 pounds of potato salad to the Parish Hall for a quinceanera or one of the many church functions she loved being involved in. And if you saw her rolling through stop signs or not obeying all the posted road signs, it was just to keep from spilling whatever delicious treat she had sloshing around in her back floorboard.

She made the best chile macho in Alpine, and she knew it. It was a painstaking process for her to roast the chiles and combine the ingredients by hand, never using a food processor. So rest assured that if you were ever hand delivered a recycled pickle jar filled to the brim with the barrio’s best salsa, you were loved.

Lorisa had an infectious laugh. She radiated love, and that love found its way into her cooking. Every dish she made, she made with her whole heart. Most Sunday afternoons her children, grandchildren, and extended family gathered around her table to tell stories and eat her cooking. These days found her most at peace.

Lorisa is survived by her children Cynthia Ann Ramos and Larry Gallego; grandchildren Salomon Ramos, Felina Molinar, Michelle Ramos, and Sara Ramos; great grandchildren Audriena Ramos, Gabrielle Ramos and Salomon Ramos, Jr.; and siblings Elidia Leyva, Irene Espinoza, Ruben Gallego, Berta (Dean) Celaya, Jimmy Gallego, and B.J. Gallego.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Amelia Gallego; and her brother Jose Ben Gallegos.

Rosary for Maria Lorisa Gallego will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 17, 2022, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine. Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Our Lady of Peace, with burial at Holy Angels Cemetery following the funeral.

Services have been entrusted to Alpine Memorial Funeral Home in Alpine.

Online condolences may be left at alpinememorialfuneralhome.com.