Beatriz Pacheco

 May 28, 2026

Betty Gomez Pacheco was born June 26, 1933, in Tucson, Arizona and died peacefully at the age of 92 at home on May 28, 2026. She was the fourth child of Heraldo G. Gomez from Tucson and Agustina Cruz from Nogales, Sonora. Her father worked at the Southern Pacific Railroad for 50 years and was a union organizer. Her mother raised the children.

She attended Drachman Elementary, Roskruge Middle School, and Tucson High School. After raising her family, she graduated from Pima Community College and the University of Arizona.

Growing up in the Old Barrio she was a tomboy who enjoyed playing baseball in the streets with the other neighborhood kids including Joel Valdez, who would later have the downtown library named after him. She was her paternal grandmother's favorite and as a child helped to take care of her. This was the start of a lifelong pattern of taking care of others including: her brother's daughter after his wife died in childbirth while also caring for her three-and-one-year olds; her mother; her older brothers; her father with Alzheimer's was cared for her at her home; her next door neighbor Perla, whose family lived far away and was illiterate; her son's friend who needed a place to live until he graduated high school, and more.

Her eastside home was also the family gathering spot where her famous chicken tacos (later she added turkey tacos to the menu) were enjoyed by friends and family. The holidays also meant tamale making time. She welcomed anyone who wanted to come over and learn how to make tamales from start to finish with her. These were not boilerplate tamales. They were customized. Tia Rita's had a bunch of olives, some lacked jalapenos, and others had calabacitas for the vegetarians. A neighbor once asked about buying her tamales. She refused. But with a twinkle in her eye, she said she would make him a dozen, but he couldn't pay. She made them for him every year until he died.

A lifelong Wildcat fan, she transferred her Pima Community College credits to the University of Arizona graduating in 1988. She strongly believed in the value and mission of Pima Community College, so she served on the PCC Alumni Board including as Chairman that same year.

Betty's first job out of college was working at a domestic violence shelter. A few years later she was hired by DES to work with the families who cared for foster children. Even though she lacked a master's degree, they needed someone who spoke Spanish. She stayed until she decided to retire in her 70's and stay home with her beloved boy Ringo.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Alice, Leonard (Nayo), Louis, and Armando. Survivors include her children Tina Pacheco, Albert Pacheco (Susan) and Edward Cruz; two grandchildren Daniel and Alan Pacheco; her sister Sally; and many nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

We want to thank all of her caregivers, but especially in her last year Faby, Carmen, and from My House - Maria and Yolanda. She loved singing, laughing and visiting with them.

A graveside celebration of life will take place at Holy Hope Cemetery at 3555 North Oracle in Tucson at 11 am on Friday, October 9, 2026. All who knew and cared about her are warmly invited to join us as we gather to share stories and honor the many lives she touched.