Ninfa Rael

Ninfa "Bella" Rael, age 77, passed away on March 6, 2026, in Belen, New Mexico. Born on July 15, 1948, in El Paso, Texas, to Pedro Esparza and Olga Troncoso, she married Valentin Rael in 1966 and together they raised three daughters: Gloria, Barbara, and Diana.

Ninfa cherished her time with family above all else. She found joy in listening to music, dancing, and creating with her hands as a talented cake decorator, cook, and seamstress. Guided by a deep and steady faith, she offered her love and care freely to everyone she met.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Valentin Rael; her daughters and their spouses, Gloria and Mike Montoya, Barbara Rael and Frankie Chavez, and Diana Rael and Robbie Westby; her grandchildren, Nichole and James Shiplet, Danielle Silva and Marc Montoya, Alexandra and Joshua Thurgood, Sam Olguin, Ely Gutierrez, Andie Saiz, Michael and Devonne Montoya, and Megan Montoya; her siblings, Pedro and Morena Esparza, Guadalupe and Art Hernandez, and Victor and Sulema Padilla; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents.