Born in Old Pascua Village, Tucson in 1928, Augustina Valenzuela Gallardo, a full-blooded Yaqui, remained a loyal 95-year resident of OP until her death on October 30th, 2023.

Augustina was born to Castula Valencia and Secundino "Jesus Grande" Valenzuela on March 18, 1928. As a young girl, she attended the old Richey Elementary and Davis School.  She fondly remembered Ms. Richey, her teacher, who was loved and respected by everyone in the Pascua community.

As a young teenager, Augustina was sent to California to help care for her sister's twin girls but was soon called to return to Tucson. Upon returning she helped raise her six nieces and nephews, whom throughout her life she considered her own: Celso+, Amelia+, Marcelina "Kita", Arcadio, Mariano, and Dolores+.

On July 17th, 1954, Augustina married Pete R. Gallardo. They soon raised a family of two, Ernie (Genevieve) and Thelma (Tony). She was blessed with one grandson, Andrew, whom she spoiled rotten and loved fiercely.

As a young adult, she laboriously picked cotton to "make ends meet". Soon after working she worked several jobs in housekeeping. Augustina joined the work force with El Rio Health Center as a medical records clerk when it first opened and was located on Congress and I-10. She retired at 65 after 20 yrs. of service, acquiring many life-long friendships.

When the Pascua Yaqui Tribe was Federally Recognized, Augustina served as an Enrollment committee member to determine the criteria and requirements needed for membership. She was a wealth of knowledge for the direct lineal descendants of the original families in Old Pascua. Her fluency in English, Spanish and Yaqui (Yoeme) was an asset to the committee.

In her retirement, Augustina had many passions. First and foremost, she loved spending time with her niece Dolores Bravo. We will always remember them as "two peas in a pod", and both up for the next adventure. Augustina loved casinos and would find any chance to stop and play her favorite slot machines. Her many trips to Las Vegas and California always included slots, shop 'til you drop, and dining. Her family and friends were the recipients of many beautiful gifts. When the PYT opened its properties, the family always enjoyed a casino outing with Augustina. Later in life she was always current in world affairs and found pleasure in watching her telenovelas.

Throughout the community, Augustina was well known for her red chile, popovers, red chile tamales, flat enchiladas, and tacos. To this day, Thelma and many nieces carry on her family recipes and traditions.

Halloween and Christmas were her favorite times of the year, and decorating her house brought her great joy. Insisting on a large, decorated evergreen tree, Christmas was always warm and festive in her home. The front porch was illuminated with her cherished nativity scene and outside lights, with thanks to Tony and Thelma.

Her children's accomplishments always provided her with a tremendous amount of joy throughout her lifetime. She was always happy when Andrew serenaded her with music.

Augustina was a blessed extraordinary woman of faith. Our profound grief is eased by our gratitude that she allowed us to share in her memorable and rich life.

Thank you to all the family, friends, and neighbors that would regularly check in on her, bring her meals or come to spend the afternoon visiting, especially; Rene Bravo, Eva Flores, Francisca Tadeo, Ceci Valencia (goddaughter), Patsy Corday, Esther Gastelum, Lucia Ramirez, Gloria Gastelum and Marcelina"Kita" Gamboa. The daily phone calls meant the world to her.

The family wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to all her doctors.  El Rio, Dr. Sadan Saleem, Jacklynn Skrutvold, P.A., and the Carondelet Group.  The PYT Specialty Clinic, Dr. Riley Pett and his staff (LuzDenise and Roxanna) who provided excellent medical care, instrumental in her ability to enjoy her quality of life to its fullest.  The Pascua Yaqui Liogue Senior Center provided lunches, and the PYT Home Attendant Care Services Team (Angelina, Monica, Kayla) who assisted her in her personal care needs.  We also wish to thank her doctors and surgeon at TMC, and the outstanding staff at Peppi's Hospice.

Preceded in death by her parents Castula Valencia and Secundino "Jesus Grande" Valenzuela, Pete her husband of 45 years, Sisters; Mauricia Majalca, Juana Romero, Marcelina "Lina"Tapia, Maria Carmen Ochoa. Brother; Perfecto Jaimez. Nephews; Celso Gastelum, Jesus "Chuy" Ochoa, Rafael Tapia. Nieces; Dolores Bravo, Consuelo Majalca, Amelia Robles.

She is survived by her son Ernie (Genevieve), daughter Thelma (Tony Almeida) and grandson Andrew, Sister-in-Law, Joaquina Montano.  Also survived by nephews; Arcadio (Martina) Gastelum, Mariano (Esther) Gastelum, Richard Flores, Carmelo Romero. Nieces; Marcelina "Kita" Gamboa, Lucia Ramirez, Margarita Acuna, Pauline, Olivia, Martha, Betty Ochoa, Lupe Armenta, Tula McCarthy, Aurora Hoeffner. and Joey Tapia. In addition, she also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and her beloved family in Rio Yaqui, Mexico.

Our family will forever be indebted to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.

Lios Em Chiokoe Ut'tesia

Funeral Services will be held:

Tuesday November 7th, 2023

Celebration of Mass of Resurrection - 11:00 a.m.

St. Thomas More Newman Center

615 E 2nd St. (on the corner of 2nd and Cherry)

Interment of Ashes - Holy Hope Cemetery

Reception to follow - Fraternal Order of Eagles

530 N Stone Ave.

Donations can be made in her name to:

TMC Peppi's Hospice House - 2715 N Wyatt Drive, Tucson, AZ 85712. or

Pascua Yaqui Tribe Liogue Senior Center – 7601 S Camino Benem, Tucson, AZ 85757