Gillie Benjamin Jaramillo

1931 - 2025 Gillie B. Jaramillo: Sunrise November 13,1931 Sunset November 8, 2025 On November 8, 2025, Gillie B. Jaramillo, originally from Belen, NM, and former resident of Los Lunas, NM passed away at the age of 93. Services will take place at a later date. Gillie lived a long and very productive life. Born to Henry T. Jaramillo Sr. and Casianita Aragon Jaramillo, he was one of nine children and was the last surviving child. The Jaramillo’s were one of the original families settling in Valencia County. Gillie was a life-long Catholic, and was baptized in, and grew up attending Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. He graduated from Belen Public Schools where he excelled in football and was named an All-State player in basketball. After high school, Gillie was invited to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland but decided to attend the University of New Mexico. Soon after, he married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Maryann Sachs. During the Korean conflict, Gillie joined the United States Air Force and was assigned to the 92nd Medical Group, Dental Clinic, Fairfield Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington. After Dental Tech School, he was placed in charge of the Dental Clinic at Fairfield AFB. Following an honorable discharge, Gillie and Maryann returned to Belen where Gillie joined the family business, Henry’s markets, for several years. Gillie and Maryann then opened Citizens Finance Co., Inc. in 1973. It was the first finance company oﬀering consumer loans in Valencia County. Gillie retired in 2001, but continued to help his daughter Annalee, who purchased and continued to serve the loyal customers of Citizens Finance until her retirement in 2023. Gillie enjoyed spending the morning in the oﬃce until he was 90 years old. The company Gillie founded was a business landmark in Los Lunas for over 50 years. During this time, Gillie attended the Brown Institute of Real Estate and Insurance at the University of New Mexico. He enjoyed the challenges of buying and selling residential and business properties in Albuquerque, Belen, and Los Lunas. He was often quick to remind everyone that Location, Location, Location, was the key to success in real estate. Gillie valued independence in thoughts and actions and expected the same of others. He considered himself independent, caring, and self-disciplined. Gillie served his community and New Mexico in multiple ways. Gillie served on the Board of Directors of Ranchers State Bank, Chairman: Valencia County Commission, President: Association of Counties of New Mexico, Director: Belen Chamber of Commerce, Member: Board of Regents New Mexico School for the Blind, Chairman: New Mexico State Fair (Two Terms), and the Gillie Jaramillo Hispanic Arts Building at the NM State Fair Grounds was named in his honor. Gillie is survived by his five children Gilbert Jaramillo Sr., Maryann Sorenson, Anntherese Jaramillo, Annalee Jaramillo Kuidis (Gary), Martin Jaramillo; grandchildren, Jennifer Jaramillo, Elizabeth Jaramillo, Gilbert Jaramillo Jr., (Teresa) Derek Sorenson, Kyle Jaramillo Kuidis (Amanda) Angelica Freeman (Michael), and Faith Santana (Bryce); sisters-in-law, Elsie Jaramillo and Nuria Jaramillo; 11 great grandchildren and many loved nieces, nephews, and extended family. Gillie is preceded in death by the love of his life Maryann Sachs Jaramillo, parents Henry T. Jaramillo and Casianita Jaramillo; in laws Martin Sachs and Mary Sachs; brothers Henry Jaramillo, Eddie Jaramillo (Corine), Alfonso Jaramillo (Theresa), and Jerry Jaramillo; sisters, Barbara Ortiz (Arthur), Lucy Sanchez (Tony), Lena Frazee (Ray), and Rose Aragon (Johnny); son-in-law Brad Sorenson. Services to celebrate Gillie’s life will be held in January 2026 Urn bearers: Gilbert Jaramillo Jr., Derek Sorenson, and Kyle Jaramillo Kuidis. The family would like to express their heart felt gratitude to the caring and loving caretakers at the Beehive Four Hills as well as the nurses at Rio Grande Hospice and the VA Hospice. The family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in honor of Gillie’s memory. Please sign Gillies’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

Gillie Benjamin Jaramillo

November 13, 1931 - November 8, 2025