Corazon Guzman Samala

Corazon Guzman Samala, known to family and friends as Cora or Sony, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on January 11, 2022, in her Rio Rancho home. She was 90 years old at the time of her death.

She is survived by her beloved husband Venancio Samala and her loving children daughter Maria Moschel & husband, Richard, son Roberto Samala & wife Victoria, daughter Corazon Gaglio & husband Dr. Paul Gaglio.

Cora was cherished grandmother and Lola to Lauren Fantozzi, Jaclyn Ruvo and Alec Moschel, Paul, Jeffrey, and Amanda Gaglio; Esperanza and Gabrielle Samala and great-grandmother to Rylie and Cade Fantozzi, Stella Ruvo and Sami Gaglio.

Corazon was born on August 9, 1931, in Tondo, Manila, Philippines and was the 6th of 8 siblings.  In 1953, she graduated from the Chinese General Hospital School of Nursing in Manila. Then in 1955, as part of the Nurses Exchange program, she immigrated to the United States and settled in New Jersey where she met her husband of 67 years. They both moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico in 1986.

Cora’s career as a registered nurse earned her the Quality-of-Life award as Director of Nurses from Regency Health Services, NM.

Cora touched the lives of so many people with her love, kindness, and generosity. Everyone who knew her will remember her nurturing personality, as well as her passion for family, friends, and the joy of life. She enjoyed hosting large family gatherings and loved to perform karaoke songs at these celebrations. “Auntie Sony” loved singing and dancing which is the spirit of the Guzman family that she passes on to the generations that follow her.

Cora was a devout Catholic and brought her spirituality into every aspect of her life.

Cora will be deeply missed and remembered affectionately by her family, friends and all those who knew her even briefly during her life.

Rest in Eternal Peace, mom. We take solace in the knowledge that you are with the Lord and your family who have passed before you. We look forward to the day we will be reunited with you in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, celebrate Corazon’s life by donating to the American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association in her name.

A Funeral Mass is planned for Saturday, August 6th, 2022 at 10:30AM. Mass will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church located at 1502 Sara Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, NM, 87124.