Belen (Rael) Simoes September 8, 1934 ~ December 17, 2021 (age 87)

Obituary

Funeral services for Maria Belen Simoes and her son Glenn Simoes will be held at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, Portales, NM, on January 31, 2022. Belen passed away on December 17, 2021 at the age of 87.  A Rosary begins at 9:00am, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00am. Fr. Francisco Carbajal is the celebrant. She will be laid to rest with her husband Jose Simoes at the  Santa Fe National cemetery on a later date.

Belen was born in Folsom, NM on September 8,1934 to Rosendo and Virgina (Garcia) Rael.  She was one of 19 children. She attended school in Clayton, NM.

While waitressing at her father’s restaurant, she met the love of her life, Jose Simoes. Joe was stationed in the Air Force at Amarillo AFB. He would visit Clayton and frequent the restaurant. Joe then left for Korea. He wrote many love letters to her, courting her from Korea. They married on June 11, 1955 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Belen and Joe were married 45 years when he passed on May 24, 2001.  Coming from a small town in NM, Belen was excited when Joe told her he was taking her to New York for their honeymoon, only to discover that they were going to watch the Boston Red Sox play the NY Yankees. Belen always joked that Joe’s first love was the Red Sox, then she was next!  The Air Force brought them to Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Jersey, Azores Islands and Texas – where Joe retired from the Air Force. They then moved to Albuquerque, NM. She was employed for many years with the UNM Law School working in the snack bar. In 1978, they relocated to Portales. While in Portales, she assisted Joe with catering at the ENMU food Services. She also prepared meals for the children at the ENMU Child Development Center. Belen loved making Gingerbread houses and cake decorating. She was a passionate cook; preparing dishes from her and Joe’s heritage, as well as dishes that she learned to make from friends and family.

Belen was a member of St Helen’s Catholic church, where she was involved in various ministries. She enjoyed volunteering at the Newman Center, where she cooked weekly meals for the college students. Many of them became her “kids”. Belen prayed daily and all day long, for everyone.

On November18, 2019, Belen moved to Clayton to live in Clayton Nursing and Rehab, where she lived until her passing.

Belen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters; Juanita Rael, Pauline Rael, Jean Talley, Addie Montoya.  Brothers:  Charlie Rael, Richard Rael, Joe Rael, Jr, Manuel Rael, Johnny Rael, and Dennis Rael.  Brothers-in law: Jim Talley, Pete McDonald and Donato Sanchez.  Sisters-in-law: Irene Rael and Viola Rael. Her son Glenn passed away on January 1st, 2022.

Belen is survived by her daughter Patricia (Lewie) Baker of Clayton, NM, son Russell (Yulia) Simoes of Glen Allen, VA,  and daughter Michelle Simoes of Portales.

6 grandchildren: Evan (Bethanie)Baker, Dawn Baker (Michael Neff) of Clovis, NM, Virginia-Rose (Cory) McClure of Clayton, NM,  Carlee Simoes of Portales, NM, Sofia Simoes and Misha Bridun of Glen Allen, VA

Great grandchildren:  Antonia Baker, Adrian Gonzales, Noah Baker, Jaxon Baker, Landyn Neff of Clovis and Blake and Landon McClure of Clayton, NM

Sisters:  Dorothy Sanchez of Bernalillo, Mercedes (Bruce) Merecki of Silver City, NM; Patricia McDonald and Lucine (Tommy) Montoya all of Clayton, NM.

Brothers:  Leo (Paula) Rael of Poplar Bluff, MO; Dominic (JoJo)Rael of Clayton, NM; Cassie (Tina) Rael of Florida; and Freddie Rael of El Paso, TX  Brother-in-law: Louis Montoya of Albuquerque, NM.

Many nieces and nephews.

Special Friends: Eddie and Cecelia Reyes, Sofia Sanchez, Adelaide Huff, John and Josie Nigerville