Maria Phoebe Petty

Maria Phoebe Petty Viarrial 05/09/1936- 01/29/2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our matriarch, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. A resident of the the Pueblo of Pojoaque who passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family. 

Phoebe was born on May 9, 1936, in the Pueblo of Pojoaque to Fermin and Feliciana Viarrial. 

Phoebe was preceded in death by her parents Fermin and Feliciana Viarrial, paternal grandparents Fermin and Ceferina Salazar-Viarrial, Maternal grandparents Jose Antonio and Senobia Tapia, brothers Gabriel, Jimmy, Ben, Margarito and Jacob Viarrial. Sisters Frances, Mary Agnes Viarrial, Cordelia Gomez (Randy) and Maria Dora Martinez (Twin Sister), daughter Genevieve (Beva) Mascarenas, and great-great grandsons Lucas M. Fierro. Father of her children Gilbert Mascarenas, Virgil Petty and companion Milton Martinez. 

Phoebe is survived by daughters Linda Diaz, Kathy Fierro and granddaughter Jenelle Roybal (Jake) whom she raised. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren, 44 great-children, and 7 great-great grandchildren. Sister Josefina Villarreal, Ralph Viarrial and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. 

In here early years, Phoebe began her career as a waitress at Dorthy’s cafe, and then went on taking her skills to the Pojoaque Head-start (Pojoaque Parish Hall) as a cook. While working at the head-start she became inspired to work in the classroom with the children and became a teacher’s aide. Phoebe’s inspiration working with children encouraged her to then go on to study at University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where she received her bachelors degree in education. After completion of her degree, she came back home and became the head teacher where she served for 18 years at the Pueblo of Pojoaque Head-start. During her employment as a teacher she also served in the capacity as Tribal Secretary for the Pueblo of Pojoaque. Before her retirement she worked at the Pueblo of Pojoaque Senior Citizens Center, and the Pueblo of Pojoaque Early Childhood Center as the Head cook. 

Phoebe had a heart of gold, she always had her door open to anyone and everyone who needed a place to stay, eat or to simply get some advice, she will be missed dearly by everyone who knew and loved her.

A Rosary will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 6:00 pm at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00 am at Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe del Valle de Pojoaque, NM.

Serving as pallbearers are all her grandchildren.

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