Sylvia "Marilla" Archuleta

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Sylvia (Marilla) Archuleta. A beloved wife, mother, aunt, godmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. After 86 years, Sylvia was called to heaven to be reunited with her beloved parents and 7 siblings on July 28, 2024. Born on May 13, 1938 in Las Vegas, New Mexico she lived a long and beautiful life, filling ours with unconditional love and lifetime of memories.

Sylvia met the love of her life Gilbert Archuleta at a family party in New Mexico. Where they would talk, cruise around the back roads of New Mexico and dance the night away with each other. They married on July 27, 1957 at Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Welby, Colorado. In 1965 Sylvia and Gilbert decided to move to Wyoming to raise their four daughters and create a beautiful foundation for their family. Sylvia took care of her four daughters and worked at Cheyenne Memorial Medical Hospital for 30 years as a housekeeper. 

She always looked forward to the holidays where the house is filled with laughter and joy while we ate the meal that she worked so hard to cook that morning for the family. Afterwards the family would toast each other while we played poker, and Sylvia would always be the one holding the winning cards and would be the lucky one winning the final pot of the night and generously give her grandchildren some of her winnings.

 Her family all looked forward to her homemade sugar cookies and fresh tortillas while listening to her favorite Spanish records. Also making chocolate cake and her sweet rice during Christmas time. Sylvia would love to go on shopping trips to buy gifts for her grandchildren, go gambling in Blackhawk, eat ice cream in the car while talking about the good ‘ol days, and occasionally go out for a drink with her family. You always can count on going to her house during Halloween where she would have a hot meal, hot coca, fresh baked cupcakes and goodie bags for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sylvia was the one her family turned to tell their secrets, the one who comforted them in time of need, and the one who encouraged them to dream big and live life to the fullest. If you need a button sew or even if your clothes needed pressed, with no hesitation Sylvia would be glad to do it. Her biggest joys were spending time with her husband, raising her daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and loving her son-in-laws as her own. 

Sylvia is survived by her husband Gilbert Archuleta and her four daughters: Debbie Oliez (Robert), Yvonnie Maestas (Billy), Florenda Gutierrez (Raymond), and Stephanie Morales (Greg). 

Additional Survivors by her 7 grandchildren: Tiffany Rein (Tyson), Joshua Gutierrez (Andrea), Gabriel Gutierrez (Tiffany), Paul Oliez (Kimberly), William Reczek, John Reczek, Hannah Morales and numerous great grandchildren.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents; Juan and Florinda Ortega, her siblings: Fred Ortega, Rebecca Aerts, Joe Ortega, Evelyn Ortega, Joanne Gallegos, Casimirita Dean and Mary Sena.