RENE MARIE BALAGNA May 22, 1953 – Dec. 1, 2025

Rene Marie Balagna passed away quietly at her place of residence in Rio Rancho, NM on December 1, 2025. She was born in Los Alamos on May 22, 1953, to John & Jean Balagna. She was preceded in death by her parents and older sister, Lisa. 

Rene attended all her years in school, grades K thru 12’th, in Los Alamos. She moved with her family to the new home John & Jean built in Pajarito Acres. She graduated in 1976 from the University of New Mexico with a major in History. She held a job in call service in Albuquerque for a number of years. She spent her remaining retired years in Albuquerque/Rio Rancho until her death.

She leaves her Aunt, Margaret Balagna Bower, and an assortment of cousins & good friends scattered across the USA.

Rene’s death marks the end of the Balagna era in Los Alamos. Her father John came to the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos in the mid ’40’s. He was a radiochemist who made many important contributions to the development of the Hydrogen Bomb and the entire nuclear weapons program over the years. He founded the Balagna Winery and developed the famed La Bomba Grande wine and made many important contributions to the development of the NM wine industry over the years.  Her Mother, Jean, was a highly regarded sculptor & artist in Los Alamos.

She will be interred in a small ceremony at Los Alamos Guaje Pines Cemetery on Wednesday, February 11 at 1:00 pm with a few of her remaining close friends. For further information, contact Tom Hill at 505.660.8712.