Rita - age 79 - La Puebla Maestas

Rita M Maestas, age 79, a resident of La Puebla passed away peacefully and went to be with her Savior on July 14, 2013, she was Born on January 30, 1934 to Casimiro and Ramoncita Montoya in La Puebla, NM. She married Israel Maestas Sr. on June 13, 1953. Rita was preceded in death by her parents Casimiro and Ramoncita Montoya; Her husband Israel Sr; brothers, Eugenio Montoya and wife Flora, Casey Montoya Jr. and Steve Montoya Sr.; Sisters, Cordy Martinez and husband Arlo Sr., Frances Lovato and young Bernie Montoya; In-Laws, Manuel and Marcelina Maestas; brother and sister- in –laws, Felicita Vigil and husband Albert, Richard, Cornelio and Anthony Maestas. Rita is survived by her children; Israel Jr. , Tony and Cathy Maestas all of La Puebla, Dolores and Fran Aquino of Ohkay Owingeh, Susan and Adam Martinez of Cuarteles. Brothers and sisters; Tomas Montoya and wife Yolanda, Jennie Shafer and husband Ron, Rosemary Maez and husband Richard, Ramona Pena and husband Ted, Bernie Shebala and Husband Mike all of La Puebla and Matias Montoya and wife Evelyn, of the Espanola Valley, Frankie Montoya and wife Eva of Los Luceros; In-laws, Lillian Guillen and husband Tony of Alcalde, Stella Naranjo and husband Ramon of Guachupungue and Geraldine Aredalos of Espanola,plus 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Rita was a wonderful, faithful and supportive wife and mother who along with her husband Israel raised their family in California and Colorado before settling back in La Puebla, Rita spent over 20 years as a cook at La Cocina Restaurant in Espanola and could be found on Sunday mornings at Holy Cross Church and on occasion visiting friends at the local casinos and Senior Center. She and Israel served as mayordomos of the La Capilla de Santo Nino in La Puebla and as Eucharistic ministers at Santa Cruz Church. As a grandmother she was very supportive of all her grandchildren raising some like her own. She welcomed all her family into her home regardless of race or religion especially for the holidays. She enjoyed dancing, watching her novenas and listening to KDCE radio in the morning, and attending the Espanola Fiestas. A Rosary will be recited on Friday July 19,2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the Santa Cruz de La Canada Catholic Church in Santa Cruz. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday July 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Santa Cruz de La Canada Catholic Church in Santa Cruz . She will be laid to rest at the La Puebla Catholic Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be (grandsons); Juanito Aquino, Isaiah, Jacob, Jason, Joshua, Justin Maestas and Joseph Sandoval. Honorary pallbearers will be (grandchildren); Marietta(Javier) Andujo, Daniel Aquino, Dana Sandoval, Adan and Elias Martinez and all her God-children. In lieu of flowers the family request a mass paid in memory of Rita Maestas. The family of Rita M. Maestas have entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory in Espanola. 505-747-7477

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