Evangeline "Vangie" Shelland

Evangeline "Vangie" Shelland went home to be with her heavenly Father on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Vangie was preceded in death by her husband Fernando Shelland, father Jose Lucero, mother Maria Lucero, sister Gloria Carrillo, nephews Morris Garcia and Rene Shelland.

She is survived by her daughter Marriya Margarita Guadalupe Shelland-Lucero of Alamogordo, New Mexico, son Erik Shelland and his wife Reydelle, granddaughter Brooke of Tijeras, New Mexico, sister Betty Stage of Albuquerque, New Mexico, nephews: Otto Shelland, Israel Shelland, Pete Mayoral, Frank Carrillo, nieces: Charo Shelland, Magui Shelland, Theresa Carrillo, and Judy Garcia. She also had a group of special people in her life: Jessica Gemmel, Jasmine, “adopted” grandchildren: Allyxus Parker, Bella Lundsford, Niko Rankin, and other close friends in Alamogordo.

She was born to Jose and Maria Lucero on April 30,1944, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Vangie was a member of the Lady of the Light Catholic Church in La Luz, New Mexico and Guadalupana. She also was a daily attendee of the Senior Center in Alamogordo. She also was a bingo player at the Odd Fellows and other locations. She enjoyed spending time with her friends at the bingo or times with her daughter and eating. Even attempting to cook her special meals of manicotti or Spanish rice with chicken. One of her special loves was of her only paternal granddaughter Brooke, whom like her husband, adored in her successes and loved visits to and from her, rarely missing a grandparent’s day or birthday party. Vangie soon became a fan of Marriya’s “daughter” Allyxus where to this date she asked how that 15yr old is doing. She also shared stories of Bella and Niko, Marriya’s other “children” that Vangie considered her grandchildren. Her caring nature became beautifully evident once again, once in her retirement from White Sands Missile Range, Vangie loved and cared for everyone she came across especially her daughter that even though ill in 1997 and later her husband in 2005 where she again put on what she called her “suit of armor” and cared for family and faithfully worked and carpooled. All of these things are just a small part of why she will be dearly missed by her loved ones.

Evangeline's Life Celebration will begin with a Visitation on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 5:00pm at Salazar Mortuary located at 400 Third St. SW, 87102. Rosary will be recited at 7:00pm. Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 10:30am at San Jose Parish located at 2401 Broadway Blvd SW, 87102. She will then be laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery located at 7999 Wyoming Blvd NE, 87109.

There also will be a Celebration of life for Fernando and Vangie on Friday, July 13, 2026, at Mountain View Assembly located at 1300 Cuba Ave,  Alamogordo, New Mexico for those who are not able to attend the services in Albuquerque.