Staff

All of our staff adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that all of your needs are attended to. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that make them outstanding in their field. We are proud to have them on our staff.

Amos Rivera, Licensed Funeral Director Email: rivera@taosnet.com Office Phone: 505-758-3841 Born in Taos, NM. He attended Adams State College and is a graduate of Syracuse College of Mortuary Science. Amos and his wife Adina have six children, Tom, Tim, Beth, Christine, Matthew and Patricia

Tim Rivera, Licensed Funeral Director Email: rivera@taosnet.com Office Phone: 575-758-3841 Fax: 575-758-3161 Tim graduated high school from Bass Memorial Academy, Mississippi. He attended San Francisco State and graduated from San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He was past Chairman of the Board of Thanatopractice. He is married to Kellie Evans and they have a daughter, Miranda.

Matthew Rivera, Sr., Licensed Funeral Director Email: wecare@valornet.com Office Phone: 505-753-2288 Fax: 505-753-5500 Espanola Manager Born in Pueblo, Colorado, Matthew was raised in the family funeral home with 2 brothers and 3 sisters. The Rivera family lived above the communities only hispanic funeral home in Pueblo in operation for 30 years. Matthew and Tim chose to follow in their parents footsteps by serving those in need when a loved family member has died. Matthew graduated from The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service as president of his class with perfect attendance. He successfully passed his examinations administered by The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards and is the past president of The New Mexico Funeral Service Association. He also received a Special Recognition Award from The Executive Board of the National Funeral Directors Association. He is a fully licensed funeral director and embalmer and has completed hospice training, is a former Life, Accident and Health insurance agent and licensed pre-need counselor. He served as vice president for Taos County Crimestoppers and was a candidate for Taos County Magistrate Judge. He is the former president of the New Mexico Funeral Service Association during their 100th year anniversary. Matthew is a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of La Union Protectiva in Santa Fe, a past board member of The Espanola Valley Chamber of Commerce, and a member of The Espanola Rotary Club. A notary public, Matthew has been in funeral home management for over 26 years and is proud to bring these credentials to their family mortuary. He is married to Kelly and has a 21 year old son, Matthew Rivera, Jr. and new twin children; Manuel Amos and Madelynn Adina.

Robert Clifford, Licensed Funeral Director Email: fsoptions@hotmail.com Office Phone: 505-989-7032 Santa Fe Manager Bob was raised and schooled in Idaho and Western Montana, receiving his funeral service education in the Pacific Northwest. He has enjoyed a 40 year career in funeral service; coming to Santa Fe in the late 1980's. Bob enjoys caring for New Mexico families when they experience this difficult loss. He is twice past President of the Santa Fe Kiwanis Club and served two different terms as President of the Downtown Kiwanis Foundation, which produces the annual burning of Will Shusters's Zozobra, then distributes the proceeds to area groups that help our local kids. He now serves on that foundation's Board of Directors. In the fraternal year of 2007-2008 Bob has served as the Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Santa Fe Lodge #460. Bob is married to Mary Armijo, of Santa Fe, and they enjoy their activities in the community and the many friends they have.

Doreen Martinez, Funeral Service Intern Email: rivera@taosnet.com Office Phone: 575-758-3841 Fax: 575-758-3161 Taos Manager A lifetime resident of Taos, she graduated from Taos High School.  She and her husband have three children and two grandchildren, she is the daughter of Tony and Odila Medina of Arroyo Hondo, her siblings include, Berlinda (Joe), Thelma (Frank), Melba (Bobby), Charlene (Dean), Anthony (Virginia), Moises, Danny (Brenda) and Flavio.  She adores her family, her godchildren and her precious nephews and nieces.  She has worked for the Rivera family for many years and feels blessed to work with such a professional and caring staff.

Mary Helen Perea, Funeral Service Intern/Pre-Planning Consultant Email: wecare@valornet.com Office Phone: 505-753-2288 Fax: 505-753-5500 Espanola Mary Helen Perea has over 24 years working with New Mexico families in predominately the area of advance funeral planning. As a licensed consultant her program eases undue financial and emotional concerns often associated with funeral arrangements. She helps individuals with information and suggestions that are crucial to their loved ones in the event of an emergency. Many people including your friends and neighbors have already benefited from Mary Helens counseling in advance funeral planning. She has been a leader in her field of experience and many of her clients think of her as part of their family. She also assists during evening services and funeral related ceremonies and has become a fixture at the family business. Mary Helen is also a notary public.

Kelly Rivera, Funeral Service Intern Email: wecare@vaolornet.com Office Phone: 505-753-2288 Fax: 505-753-5500 Kelly was born in Norwalk California, however her immediate family are generational residents of Taos, NM. She shares Maternal Scotch-Irish roots, as well as paternal Spanish ancestry.  Her ancestral grandfather, Bernardo Miera is known for his artistic detailings on the Altar screens in Cristo Rey Catholic Church in Santa Fe, NM., and was a mapmaker for the   Dominguez-Escalante expedition in the 1700's.  Her great grandfather; Eliseo Miera was the former Taos County Sheriff. Kelly is one of five children born to George and Donna Peterson of Taos. Kelly and Matthew have twin children; a son Manuel Amos and a daughter Madelynn Adina as well as a son, Matthew Rivera, Jr. She is well versed in various aspects of funeral service by working alongside her husband, however mostly working in administration. She is also licensed as a Funeral Service Intern with The New Mexico State Board of Thanatopractice. A notary public, Kelly is also a board member  of The Carenet Pregnancy Center, a local non-profit dedicated to helping expectant mothers with support & education. She mostly enjoys assisting the families being served at funeral & memorial services and makes sure that families are treated well and details are followed through to their completion.

Joaquin Gonzales, Funeral Service Intern Email: rivera@taosnet.com Office Phone: 505-758-3841 Taos Born and raised in Taos, NM and currently residing in Llano Quemado, for the past 15 years Joaquin has been serving all of Central and Northern New Mexico as a Paramedic. Joaquin recently joined the Rivera Family as a full time funeral service intern in which he is licensed by the New Mexico Board of Thanatopractice in both arranging/directing and embalming. He has been licensed since 2000, working in Albuquerque and at all of the Rivera Family Mortuary facilities. Joaquin has also worked as a Deputy Medical Investigator for the State of New Mexico. He takes pride in assisting families in their most difficult time of need and is identified in having the people skills and artistic talents necessary for this specialized field. Joaquin is currently a volunteer firefighter with the Taos Volunteer Fire Department and sits as a member of the Human Rights Committee for the Taos County ARC. His parents are Nadine and Johnny Gonzales.

Chris Vega, Funeral Service Intern Email: fsoptions@hotmail.com Office Phone: 505-989-7032 Santa Fe Chris is from Espanola, NM and has been working with our company since 2006, attending to all three funeral home locations (Santa Fe, Espanola, and Taos). He started out as a rosary attendant, became a part of the night transport team, and worked his way up to a funeral service intern, performing preparation and embalming. Chris assists families during difficult times and provides special care to those in need. Chris is caring, dependable and dedicated to his work. In the summer months, Chris has the added responsibility of making certain our cemetery is manicured well.

Marshall Archibald, Funeral Service Intern Santa Fe Marshall was born at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM, attended Del Norte High School, and has a beautiful daughter named Dallas. He began working with our company full time in 2009 as part of the night removal team and is now a funeral service intern, performing preparation and embalming. He enjoys his job and plans to make a career out of it. Marshall is caring, understanding, and utilizes his notable people skills to assist families in their time of need. He also takes on the duty of making sure our cemetery is well manicured. Marshall participates in the city APA Pool League, enjoys fishing, boating, and all water sports.

Sandy Montoya, Office Manager Email: rivera@taosnet.com Office Phone: 575-758-3841 Taos Sandy is a lifetime resident of Taos.  She has one son, Eloy Montoya (Valerie) and grandchildren, Mateo Ryan and Brianah.  She has provided telephone answering services to the Funeral Home for last 20 + years.

Stacey Trujillo, Office Manager Email: fsoptions@hotmail.com Office Phone: 505-989-7032 Santa Fe Stacey is a resident of Santa Fe, NM.  She graduated from Taos High School and attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. She cares deeply about her job and enjoys giving comfort to families who have lost their loved ones. Stacey assists walk in families, answers phones, processes payments and provides administrative support to the funeral directors. She is also a notary public.

Donna Martinez, Office Manager Email: wecare@valornet.com Office Phone: 505-753-2288 Espanola Donna E. Martinez is a life long resident of Espanola Valley, and a 2007 graduate of Espanola Valley High School.  Her background pursuits are in the area of teaching, secretarial administration, and criminal justice. She is a licensed Funeral Service intern in the areas of Preparation & Embalming and Arranging & Directing services. Donna is knowledgeable in all aspects of duties within the funeral home and looks forward to serving her community with pride & compassion. Her goal is to become a fully licensed funeral director and work her way into management.  When she is away from work, she enjoys spending time with her fun and outgoing son Nathias.

Terresa Clint, Preneed Consultant Office Phone: 505-989-7032 Santa Fe Terresa Clint has been helping families with funeral preneed planning in New Mexico and Colorado since 1979. She and her husband Daniel settled in Santa Fe in 1989 with their daughter Annalis who graduated from Santa Fe High in 2004. She came on board with Santa Fe Funeral Options and Memorial Garden in 1995 as a preneed funeral and cemetery counselor and loves helping families. She and Daniel enjoy playing badminton and are members of the Elks Club.

Margaret and Robert Bryant, Preneed Consultant Email: rivera@taosnet.com Office Phone: 575-758-3841 Taos Margaret is our Taos Preneed Consultant. Margaret and her husband  Robert help out with our services

Janette Beesley, Preneed Consultant Email: wecare@valornet.com Office Phone: 505-753-2288 Espanola/Santa Fe Janette was raised in Cebolla, NM.,  but has resided in the Espanola Valley for most of her life. Janette attended the Espanola schools and retired from Municipal Government with 25 years of employment with both the City of Espanola and the City of Santa Fe. Janette and her husband Ken Beesley own & operate Accu Copy on La Joya street, a high volume reproduction and copy business. They have four daughters and nine grandchildren.

Cipriano Duran, Funeral Service Assistant Email: rivera@taosnet.com Office Phone: 575-758-3841 Taos CP was born in Llano Largo (Penasco), NM. He graduated from Penasco High School in 1977. CP and his wife Dianne and their children, Martin and Rosa live in Talpa.  He has worked for the Rivera Family for over 25 years.

Gloria Montoya, Service Attendant Email: rivera@taosnet.com Office Phone: 575-758-3841 Taos Gloria is a lifetime resident of Des Montes.  She is one of ten children born to her parents, the late Eloy and Frances Montoya.  She considers Mary Mylet and Micaela Ortiz her daughters.  She enjoys working with the Rivera staff and also being able to serve our families and our community.

Salomon Sanchez, Service Attendant Email: wecare@valornet.com Office Phone: 505-753-2288 Espanola Solomon Sanchez III is a resident of Dixon, NM. and is a minister at his family church, the Apostolic Praise Temple Church. His father is also a minister in the church and his mother and sister are also active in their devotion in serving their community and building their personal relationships in God. Solomon III mostly helps families with the evening and funeral services dedicated to their loved one who has passed away. He is very personable and outgoing and is a welcome friend to those in need.His voice is recognizeable to our friends & neighbors when reading the morning obituary announcements, as he also provides sunday radio sermons with his father Solomon Sanchez,II.

David Salazar, Service Attendant Espanola/Santa Fe David Salazar is one of the original family members of the Block-Salazar Mortuary. His father J. Ramon Salazar took over the management of the family business in 1950 while David and his brothers were serving their country in the armed forces. His brother Johnny Block founded the Espanola and Santa Fe locations, and David has enjoyed assisting the family in the Espanola location throughout the years. David has been involved in many community activities and also politics. He has served as the county assessor, board member of the Jemez Mountains Electric Co-op for many years. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Disabled American Veterans, as well as other organizations. David is valuable to our funeral home by helping us in keeping with the special traditions & customs unique to the Espanola valley residents.

Elena Sanchez, Service Attendant Espanola Elena Sanchez is from Dixon, NM. and is very active in the family ministry in their church, The Apostolic Praise Temple Church. She works part-time at the family mortuary mostly as an attendant at both evening services and also at funeral services held during the day. She is also experienced in the reception office assisting customers with inquiries and families being served. She is friendly and courteous and has a great smile. She is very helpful to those experiencing the death of a family member.

Martha Archuleta, Service Attendant Office Phone: 505-753-2288 Espanola Martha Archuleta is a lifelong resident of Española and along with her husband, the late Donaldo Archuleta, have been longtime friends and residents of our beautiful valley. Together, they operated and were involved, in many local enterprises & community organizations. In fact, ironically, they ran the credit bureau located directly across the street from the mortuary, and have been old friends of the Salazar and Block families. Guests to our funeral home are pleasantly surprised to be greeted by Martha when they walk in.

Lori Ann Serrano, Bookkeeper Office Phone: 575-758-3841 Lori Ann is a life long resident of Taos.  She graduated from Taos High School.  She and her husband Hilario have 3 sons, Paul, Jeremy & Zachary.  She is the daughter of  Lino and the late Stella Mondragon.