Maria Elena Mary (Santa Maria) Maldonado

MARIA ELENA “MARY” SANTA MARIA MALDONADO, age 69 of Silver City entered eternal rest on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque surrounded by family and friends.  She was born in Bayard January 4, 1949 to Ezequiel and Soledad Santa Maria.  Mary graduated from Cobre High School and for many years worked at Smith Music and TV, before embarking a career as a school teacher.  She graduated from Western New Mexico University and went on to work as a school teacher for the Head Start Program in Santa Clara.  Working with children at this stage in their lives brought her great joy and everlasting memories.  She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She held various positions within the church over the years. Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She is loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.    

Those left to mourn her passing include her loving husband of 45 years, Bill Maldonado of the family home; two sons, Cory Maldonado (Renée), and Nicholas Maldonado (Angelica); four grandchildren, Cheyenne, Jordan, Amari and Kitana all of Silver City. Other survivors include five brothers, Ernesto Santamaria of Tucson, Arizona, Zeke Santa Maria (Socorro), Edward Santa Maria (Lucinda) all of Bayard, Jesus Santa Maria (Maria Dolores) also of Tucson and  Alfonso Santa Maria (Laura) of Santa Clara; four sisters, Lydia Santa Maria of Bayard, Delia Jurado (Emilio) of Deming, Dolores Santamaria of Las Cruces and Connie Soliz (Antonio) of Silver City; one uncle, Napo Sanchez of Fort Bayard; brothers-in-law, Arthur Maldonado (Rosemary) and Joseph Maldonado; sisters-in-law, Natalia Summerlin, Lucy Maldonado and Emma Martinez, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, three infant brothers, sister-in-law, Raquel Santamaria; nephew, David Jurado and great-nephew, Nicholas Duran.

Calling hours will be held from 5 PM to 7 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at Baca’s Funeral Chapels, Hwy 180-E at Delk Drive in Silver City.  The Funeral Service is scheduled for 11 AM Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2710 N. Swan Street. Concluding Service and Interment will follow at 1 PM at Fort Bayard National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest.

Serving as casket bearers will be Alfonso Santa Maria, Alfonso Santa Maria, Jr. Toby M. Rascon, Toby B. Rascon, Christopher Lopez and Charlie Deming.

There are no words to describe the void that Mary’s passing has left in the hearts of so many family and friends who so dearly loved her.    

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz Road in Las Cruces (575-527-2222) and Baca’s Funeral Chapels, Silver City (575-388-2334).  For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com  

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