Sophie Dominguez

Sofia Stella Sarinana Orozco (Sophie Dominguez), 82, a longtime resident of Grants, NM, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Rio Rancho, NM. She was born on July 10, 1937 in Trona, CA to Jose and Sofia Sarinana Orozco. She grew up with her parents, four brothers, and eight sisters in Garden City Station, CA.  At 17, she met her future husband, Odie Dominguez, while he was a marine stationed in China Lake, CA. They married in 1954 and raised their family in San Rafael and Grants, NM.  Sophie worked at Grants High School as the assistant librarian for many years.  She loved her job because she was able to interact with the students and was known as the school’s “unofficial” counselor.  She held this title even when she wasn’t working!  Her lif long passion was helping and counseling young people and she was a confidant and mentor to many teenagers.  She opened her home to anyone who needed a place to stay and opened her heart to anyone who needed love and compassion. Sophie took on the position of President of the New Mexico State ARC in the early 1990s and traveled throughout the United States passionately advocating for the handicapped community.  She was extremely involved in all activities at her beloved St. Theresa of Avila Catholic parish.  She especially loved being a part of the Bereavement Team that help parishioners during their most difficult times of loss.  Sophie is survived by her children:  Odie Jr. of San Antonio, TX; Tammie (Imperati) and husband, Sam, of Vancouver, WA; Russell and wife, Beth, of Midland, TX; Jacob and wife, Christina, of Rio Rancho, NM; and Nettie of Rio Rancho, NM. She is also survived by sisters Mary (Zeiss); Carmen (Crandall ) and husband, John; Lucy (Robles) and husband, Thomas; Cherry (Dominguez) and husband, Joe; Gloria (Dominguez) and husband, Richard, brothers Joe Orozco, and Fred Orozco and wife, Maria. She had fourteen grandchildren (Janelle, Shontelle, Marc, Megan, Andrea, Sergio, Monica, Brenna, Kara, Cole, Jared, Nico, Patrick, Noah, eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Sophie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Odie Dominguez, Sr.; parents Jose and Sofia Serinana Orozco; sisters Delia (Branch), Alice (Morris), Eva (Fry) and brothers Louis Orozco and John Orozco.  A Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 9:30 AM, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Grants, NM. A memorial Mass will follow at 10:00 AM, with a burial immediately afterwards at Grants Cemetery. Sophie’s grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers. For more details, and for those wishing to sign the guest book, please visit www.harris-hanlonmortuary.com.