Family friends and political associates are mourning the death of Minnie Gallegos, a longtime chairwoman of the Santa Fe County Democratic Party.

Gallegos died Sunday at the age of 82 following a lengthy illness, her son Brian Gallegos said Tuesday.

"The Democratic Party of New Mexico lost a true champion this weekend in Chairwoman Minnie Gallegos," state Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales said in an email statement.

"Minnie could always be counted as a passionate fighter for democratic values," Gonzales said. "For the better part of a decade, Minnie fearlessly led the Democratic Party in my home county of Santa Fe, establishing a record of service and leadership that was invaluable to Democrats everywhere. Her experience and fight will be sorely missed in future campaigns. Personally, I will dearly miss her advice, leadership and, most of all, her friendship."

In various Facebook posts since her death, friends referred to her as a "spark plug" and a "sweetie," and praised her for her hard work, her humor and her knack for making newcomers feel welcome into the sometimes contentious local party.

"She worked well with all the different factions in the party," Brian Gallegos said. "She put her heart and soul into everything she did."

Minnie Gallegos was born in Questa but moved to Santa Fe as a child, another son, Fernando Gallegos, said Tuesday. She married Samuel Gallegos, a state police officer, in the early 1950s. He preceded her in death in 1989.

She worked for Santa Fe County, becoming director of the Santa Fe County Housing Authority in the 1980s. Housing projects on Camino Jacobo, on N.M. 14 and in Santa Cruz were built on her watch. She was a member of the state Housing Authority under Govs. Bruce King and Bill Richardson. She also worked as a constituent-service manager during King's last administration in the early '90s.

Long before she became county chairwoman, Minnie Gallegos was active in the local Democratic Party, serving in various posts and heading the county Democratic Women in the '70s and the '90s. She also managed local offices for presidential candidates.

She became county chairwoman in 2001 after then chairman Bill Sisneros stepped down to work on the Richardson campaign. In 2003, she won a new term, becoming the first elected chairwoman of the Santa Fe County Democrats. She decided not to seek re-election in 2009.

The last time she was re-elected, Minnie Gallegos didn't make many promises. She just told local Democrats, "I bring to you my experience, and I bring to you my heart and souI. I know you; you know me." Santa Fe Democrats agreed. Gallegos' challenger, before the vote was announced, moved that Gallegos be re-elected by acclamation.

One of her children followed her into politics. Sandra Miera is a Santa Fe County magistrate .

In addition to Miera and Brian and Fernando Gallegos, all of whom live in Santa Fe, Minnie Gallegos is survived by sons Art Gallegos of Albuquerque, Samuel Gallegos Jr. of Denver, Rick LeBow of Santa Fe and daughter Laura Garcia of Las Vegas, N.M.

A rosary for Minnie Gallegos will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday at Santa María de la Paz Catholic Community. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled at the church at 9 a.m. Friday. She will be buried at 10:30 a.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. A reception will follow at Santa María Parish Hall.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. Read his political blog at roundhouseroundup.com.