Mrs. Carmen Gallegos (88) was a lifelong resident of Madera, California, and passed away on April 22, 2023. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of more than 65 years, Philip J. Gallegos, her mother, Henrietta Parma Lopez, and sisters, Elsie Rubio and Helen Perez.

Carmen was an incredible mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She is survived by her son Philip & (wife) Terri Gallegos of Madera, son Daniel & (wife) Cindy Gallegos of Bakersfield, daughter Cindy & (husband) Stefan Edelbacher of Brentwood, daughter Diana & (husband) Miguel Gonzalez of Madera, daughter Cece Foley-Gallegos of Madera.

She is also survived by grandchildren Jami O’Reilly, Robin Gallegos, Dustin Gallegos, Grant Gallegos, Sunny Gallegos, PJ Gallegos, Chelsi Gallegos, Dominic Gallegos, Patrick Edelbacher, Asa Edelbacher, Donovan Foley, Sami Foley, Kelli Foley, Kaci Gonzalez, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Carmen was a Life Member of the Madera Historical Society, a Member of the CSEA Retiree Unit, recognized as the 2013 Madera County Old Timer’s Queen, and a Member of St. Joachim’s Church.
 
With over 40 years of service to the Madera Unified School District, Carmen retired as the Administrative Secretary to the Superintendent of Student Services. Carmen graduated in the top 10 in her class at Madera High School and was involved in several activities. She began her career at the Madera School District while still in high school as the business manager’s secretary and then worked as a school secretary for Thomas Jefferson, Millview, and Washington. Carmen was selected as the employee of the year in 1993 and became the president of CSEA. She was respected by classified and certificated personnel as well as by parents and students, many of them remembering how she positively influenced their lives.
 
Carmen was committed to education, sending her five children to college where her three daughters became teachers, and for 20 years she sponsored a high school scholarship to help students attend college. In 1998, she was featured in a newspaper article stating her commitment to God, family, and the city of Madera. She was quoted saying “Family is #1”, “I’ve always been a people person”, and “Madera is my hometown, and I’ll live and die here.”
 
Along with her two sisters, Carmen was raised by a single mom in a rented adobe house and learned very early to live with little means. She worked in the surrounding agricultural fields to help her struggling family and to buy the one pair of shoes she would use for the year. In the face of a challenging life, she remained positive and determined to succeed in all she did. Carmen is deeply loved, respected, and admired by all for her kind heart, loving nature, selflessness, and devotion to family and friends, and those in need. Her home was filled with warmth and love, everyone that entered was treated like family. When guests arrived, she would rush to the kitchen, make her famous homemade flour tortillas and a full meal for them within a matter of minutes. She loved people and enjoyed sitting to discuss personal and world events. Carmen kept every card and letter given to her on special occasions and every newspaper clipping of her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments.
 
Carmen left this world much better than she found it. She signed off on every card “I love you forever with all my heart. May God Bless You Always.”
 
God truly blessed us with a remarkably special person.
 
A Rosary Service will be held at St Joachim’s Church in Madera at 12:30 pm followed by a Mass Service at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 5, 2023. Interment will follow at Arbor Vitae Cemetery in Madera.

Remembrances may be made to the Carmen L. Gallegos Scholarship Fund in care of Diana Gonzalez, 3017 Sultana Drive, Madera, CA 93637.