Celene J. Maestas

Celene Martha Jaramillo Maestas, 89, of Española,NM, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Celene was born in El Llano, NM on November 12, 1933 to Salomon and Maria Emiteria Jaramillo. She graduated from Española High School in 1952. 

Celene is preceded in death by her parents Salomon & Maria Emiteria Jaramillo, in-laws Sixto Sr. and Senaida G. Maestas, husband Perfecto A. Maestas, son Paul Maestas, siblings and in-laws Joe & Rosina Jaramillo, Rebecca & Gilbert Borrego, Salomon Jaramillo Jr., Timothy Origer, Pauline & Albert Perez, Frances & Orlando Lopez, Irene Gifford, Sixto Jr. & Tina Maestas, LaVerne & Joe Johansen, Isidoro Maestas, and grandson Neil DeHerrera.

Celene dedicated her life to her family, raising them with boundless compassion and love. She had a kind, generous heart and was a wonderful example of what it is to be a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She leaves behind her indelible memories to be forever cherished by her loving family.

She is survived by her brothers Ruben (Rose) Jaramillo, Ben (Helen) Jaramillo, and Steven (Mabel) Jaramillo, sisters Loretta (David) Fresquez, Caroline (Tim) Crone, and Geri Origer, daughters Sarah (Ron) DeWitt, Maryfrances (Dino) Herrera, Teresa Martinez, and Charlene (Steve) Laggis, son Andrew Maestas, grandchildren Vicente Valdez, Matthew Schneider, Melinda DeHerrera, Clarissa (Jesse) Gonzalez, Enrique Valdez (Lesley Escobar), Joann (Joseph) Garcia, Angelo (Natalia) Herrera, Therese Maestas, Christopher (Jackie) Martinez, Anthony Maestas (Roxanne Landin), Krystle Maestas, Christine (Hector) Perez and Leticia Gomez (Neil Morrison), and twenty-five great-grandchildren.

Public visitation will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 6:30 PM at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Espanola with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 17, 2023 at 9:00 AM at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Española. Burial will follow at 11:00 AM at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

The pallbearers are grandsons Vicente Valdez, Enrique Valdez, Angelo Herrera, Christopher Martinez and Anthony Maestas, and great-grandson Isaiah DeHerrera.

The Honorary Pallbearers will be the remaining grandchildren and God-children.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Celene J. Maestas to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of her husband Perfecto A. Maestas. Address: Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter, 6731 Academy Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Roadrunner Hospice of Española for their support in her final days. Special thank you to Claudette Pacheco, Maria M. Urías, and Raquel Garcia for their gentle hands and compassionate hearts as they cared for our mom.

The family of Celene J. Maestas has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   www.devargasfuneral.com   505-747-7477