Cheryl Sammarco-Gallegos

Cheryl R. Sammarco (Gallegos, or Sennett; depending on which stage of life you made her acquaintance) age 67, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 30,2019 at her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was born January 10, 1952 in Newton, Massachusetts to Harold and Rocchina Sennett (Sammarco). She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Harold E. Sennett Jr. (fondly known as "Sonny"), nephew Orlando Gallegos, and daughter Rocchina Casey Gallegos. Cheryl was a 1970 graduate of Wilmington High School. She held various jobs throughout life, usually in Logistics; but primarily worked as a homemaker raising her five children and helping raise her many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Cheryl was the matriarch of the family, fiercely protective of her loved ones. She was the glue that held everyone together; support system, best friend, mentor, guiding light; and as she would say, our "first google." Cheryl was brilliant; a genius. She enjoyed learning and kept her mind sharp reading, watching game shows (often yelling out answers before the contestants), playing sudoku, cryptograms, or various trivia games of which she consistently won; as she was typically the smartest in the room. Cheryl was proud of her Italian heritage and Massachusetts roots. She was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, and would rarely be caught out of Red Sox attire. She appreciated the simple pleasures in life; eating pasta, Kayem hot dogs, and Italian style sub sandwiches; snacking on whoopie pies, homemade chocolate-chip cookies, drinking a Moxie, camping, swimming in the ocean, local lake (preferably the Butte) or just hanging out, talking with friends and family. Cheryl created strong, deep bonds with people and was a best friend to many. She is survived by her children: Matthew and wife Lorrie, Cody and partner Andrew, Nathan, and Cheyenne; grandchildren: Santina & Joshua, Matthew & Jazmine, Santiago, Eva, Donaciano, Olivia, Joseph, Sophia, Gabriella and Kathalaya (kitty); great grandchildren: Aydan, Jerimiah, Madelynn, and Daniella; nieces: Kelley, Loriann, Elizabeth, and Catalina; nephews: George (Buster), Eric, Mark, Jake, Giovanni (John), and Samuel. Further survived by great nieces, nephews; and innumerable relatives and friends. Cheryl will be fondly remembered as a loving Momma, Gama, a problem solver, humorist, hermit, prolific collector of all things (especially tiny things) and the rock to so many. Family, friends and others whose lives she touched are invited to attend a Celebration of her Life to reminisce, grieve, share stories, or just chat at Level Up Nutrition (3200 Coors Blvd NW Suite G , Albuquerque NM) on Wednesday December 11, 2019 from 3pm-5pm ; followed by a farewell viewing & eulogies held at Riverside Funeral Home (225 San Mateo NE Albuquerque NM) from 6pm-8pm. Arrangements entrusted to: Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque 225 San Mateo Blvd. NE (505) 764-9663