1941 ~ 2020
Mary Ellen “Mena” (Gallego/Nieto) Aguayo was born in Superior, AZ on December 6, 1941, to Jose B. and Belia Gallego and entered heaven on August 27, 2020, due to complications of pneumonia. Mary Ellen moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1950, when she was just eight years old. After graduating from Phoenix Union High School in 1960, she started her first job at Valley National Bank, then switched to Continental Bank. She then dedicated 35+ years to the City of Phoenix Treasury Department, where she retired in 2009. Mary Ellen was famous for her homemade tortillas the size of Texas and her delicious refried beans. She was a dedicated Mommy, Sister, Friend, Wife, excellent dancer, great cook, and she loved to go camping at Oak Creek Canyon. During her lifetime, she also liked to play piano, castanets, and softball.
Mary Ellen is survived by her four daughters: Cecilia (Robert); Cynthia (Michael); Michelle; Angelique; and was preceded in death by her Daughter Belia Aguayo and her Parents Jose B. and Belia Gallego. She has 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She loved her role as Nana/Granny and treasured all her grandchildren. Mary Ellen was always known for carrying sweets and candy nearby that some of her grandchildren called her “Nana Candy”. Nana Mary Ellen embraced every moment with her family and had the nana magic that could calm any baby to sleep. She had a vivacious personality that would attract everyone to her and easily made friends everywhere she went!! She had a heart of gold and helped everyone wherever she went.
Services to be held Friday, September 4, 2020, at Whitney & Murphy, 4800 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018, Viewing 9:00-10:30 am, Rosary 10:30 am, Funeral Service 11:00 am. Interment to follow at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, it’s limited to 50 people inside the chapel, and a small entrance waiting area of the funeral home. Please bring an umbrella to the cemetery. Mariachis will be serenading Mary Ellen at both
locations. Condolences and Hugs from Home may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Virginia (Ginny) Hernandez
Cynthia, Cecilia, Michelle and Angelique and also her sisters, Josie, Yolanda and Barbara, my heart fellt condolences on the passing of Mena. Her parents were my Godparents and Belia Gallego was my Mom, Maggies cousin, as far as myself, I just consider us all cousins. It’s difficult to say the right words to comfort or console some one on the loss of a parent or sister, but I know God knows your pain and sorrow and his comfort knows no bounds, trust in him and may his love for your loved one extend to each and every one of you, She is in her special place with God as she radiates her love for all of you. God’s blessings on all of you, Ginny Hernandez
Angelique Aguayo
Mommy,
I miss you…
Ti Angelikeee & IthaliaBella
Te quiero mommy
Priscilla Gallego SILVEY
May the first born of the Gallego cousins Rest In Peace and relish in her reunion with our heavenly family members .
My deepest condolences to all of you for her loss to your daily earthly life. Rest assured one day we will all be united, and you can bet our deceased elders will organize the best fiesta with mariachis galore
Love from your cousin. Priscilla
Juana Aguilera
My condolences and prayers to all the family. May she Rest In Peace
Barbara and Arturo Garcia
Our deepest sympathy to my nieces and the rest of the family. We will miss my sister so much! Her memory will forever live within my heart. May you rest in peace Mena. Love you very much
Tammy Nichols
Condolences. Mary Ellen was a wonderful person who welcomed our family. I loved our conversations. My heart breaks for you all. Love and prayers.
Christina And Gabriel Garcia
We’ll remember Aunt Mena in so many positive ways. Always with a big smile, a hug and just a great sense of joy for life. She is not a person easily forgotten and she will not be. We loved her very much and she always had enough love to give out to everyone. Our deepest condolences Cynthia, Cecelia, Michelle and Angelique for the loss of your mother. As well, to all of her family members. Our hearts go out to you all and we wish you comfort and peace.
Margarita Cota
Cousins, sending you prayers and love. Your Mom had such a big smile and I loved her cute giggle when she laughed. That will always be my memory of her.
I wish that this Covid was over and I could give each of you hugs of comfort.
Love you all so much!
Margie Cota
Cynthia Ramirez
Mama! Mama!
You are the world to me!! I miss you dearly! I will miss all the times we had together getting our nails and hair did () and then stopping to get either your favorite Whataburger or your green burrito! Yummy,! Yummy! ! I will miss our laughs, and especially all your little sayings and little songs you would say and sing ! I still can’t believe you’re not here, but we know without a doubt, that you’re in our Fathers house! Don’t forget to save me that big room next to yours with the big swimming pool! I know we are just apart for a short time, until we meet again in a better place!
Thanks to all my sisters for helping with all the arrangements and to all our family and friends who are assisting in many ways to make Mama’s celebration of life beautiful.
We also apologize for not adding in mama’s sisters names in the obits, we realized too late! Tia Josie, Yolie, and Barbara, we truly love and appreciate all of you and for all you do! Please accept our apologies, we just haven’t been thinking straight these last crucial days! Much respect and love! Thank you everyone!!
Ortencia Saucedo
Dear Aguayo family,
I am sending my deepest condolences to Mena’s daughters, sisters, grand and great grandchildren, and the rest of the family. I was so sorry to hear of her passing. Please be assured that my thoughts and prayers and spirit are with you during this difficult time Sending hugs and love to all of you.
In Christ’s Love,
Tencha Saucedo
Monica Avila
When you lose someone so dear, words can never be enough. Cece, Cynthia, Michelle, Angelique and extended family…my sincere condolences to you all. May the love and memories live on forever in your hearts.
To my Nina Mary Ellen
May you rest in eternal peace with our lord. Be free Nina. Smile up above and continue to dance. You lived one heck of a DASH. Love you mucho.
With Love,
Monica Avila
Carmen Maples
I was sorry to hear about Mary Ellen’s passing. She and I worked together at the City of Phoenix many years ago. We met in 1993 and worked together for a few years, until I transferred to a different Department. She always had a smile and was so welcoming and easy to talk to. I can still see her sitting in her cube, counting money! You were lucky to have her, it sounds like she was enjoying her retirement. It was nice knowing her, I’m sure you will all have some wonderful memories of her to sustain you in these hard times. God bless you and her.