Maria (Lala) Candelaria Rael Gutierrez
Sep 27, 1931 – Jul 15, 2021
Lala's given birth name is Maria Candelaria Rael, but she loved going by "Lala". Age 89, She passed July 15, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.
Beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. Born September 27, 1931, the daughter of Antonio Rael and Pablita Gallegos, Bernalillo, New Mexico. Lala married Vincente the love of her life on July 31,1955 at our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church They were married 62 years.
Lala was a loving mother to her four children, she loved to spend time with her family. One of her favorite hobbies was teaching her grandchildren to play the keyboard and singing songs. One of our fondest memories as children was waking up to hear dad strumming his guitar and singing while momma sang harmony and prepared breakfast. She loved teaching her family how to make tortillas and Chile Verde. she enjoyed bottling fruits and making homemade jam and jellies, gardening and planting flowers in her yard.
In her later years she enjoyed playing a game hiding candy behind her back then having her grandchildren, guess which hand the candy was in. Her home was always open to friends and family. Despite her blindness Lala always had a smile on her face always happily singing and humming enjoying life. She was known for her beautiful smile and joyful personality. Lala was an active member of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Kearns, Utah.
Where she shared her music ministry with her beloved husband Vincente. She was the Spanish Choir Director for 20 years and later served for another 15 years at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in West Valley, Utah. She loved to teach music harmony to anyone willing to learn. She spent many hours learning new music on her keyboard and then teaching the choir new hymns. Also composed her own version of Padre Nuestro, today referred to as "Lala's Padre Nuestro".
Survived by her children, Joann Bennion (Paul Newsome), Joyce Bertha Martinez (Louie), Vivian Stoddard, and Vincent A Gutierrez, Jr. Grandchildren: Jennifer Redmond (Leon), Jessica Bennion Jeffs (Ben), Angela Bennion (Tristan), Destiny Egley (Darwin), Misty Martinez, Crystal Martinez Joshua Stoddard (Crystal), Andrew Stoddard (Anna Nielson), Jake Stoddard (Alyssa), (Monique Shawver (Mike), Anthony Gutierrez, and Lorenzo Gutierrez, 19 great grandchildren and two great great grandsons.
Preceded in Death by, her loving husband, Vincente Gutierrez, sister, Marcella Rosemarie Macias, and sweet son-in-law Jed Stoddard, Her parents, Antonio and Pablita Gallegos Rael.
Services: Sunday, July 25, 2021 at Memorial Estates 6500 s. Redwood Rd. West Jordan, Utah. There will be a Viewing 5:30-6:30 PM, Remembrance 7:00 PM followed by the Holy Rosary 7:30 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, July 26, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St Martin De Porres Catholic Church 4914 S 2200 W Taylorsville, UT. Visitation to begin at 10:00 AM. Committal service to follow Memorial Estates Cemetery.
