Mary R. Delgado

Mary Rojas Delgado, 91 of Bayard, passed away January 18, 2021 at Gila Regional Medical Center. 

Mary was born April 22, 1929 in Santa Rita, NM to Onesimo and Octaviana Rojas. She was a lifelong resident of the area and was an active member of the Catholic Church. Mary was a devout wife and mother, entering the workforce as an Innkeepers assistant at the Holiday Inn, Silver City at the age of 34, and retired from Western New Mexico University after 25 years, as an Administrative Assistant. She also owned and operated “Mary’s Classy Look”, women’s clothing boutique which was her post retirement dream and beloved hobby.  She was also a member of the Cobre Extension Club. She and her husband were formerly active members with of the Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. 

Mary was a loving wife, mother, and nana who loved being with her family, loving any reason for celebrations. She was an excellent cook, enjoyed cooking special birthday dinners, made with pride and love. She loved hosting Easter celebrations and smashing cascarones on any a blind eye, especially in inconspicuous areas. Though she loved Easter, Christmas was her favorite holiday. She loved decorating her entire home with Nativities in every room. Her most prized display however was a grand and meticulously curated Fontanini Village, which depicted the Holy Land and the Lords manger in great detail. Mary was an extremely fashionable woman. She also enjoyed dressing up for Halloween while working at Western, from a skunk, to Medusa, to a Coors Can, she could pull off any look! During her years at WNMU, Mary served as a boss, an advocate, and a friend to many students of the university. Her leadership skills, kindness and courtesy with students, fellow staff members and faculty, were a means of lasting friendships.  

Above all of her many pastimes, her favorite by far was dancing.   She and her spouse rarely passed up an invitation to a wedding or party where they would dance the night away, toasting to life with the beloved company she kept. A night at the dance wouldn’t be complete unless she and Luis danced their crowd-stopping Jitter Bug to “In the Mood” (Glen Miller Band) at least once. They led many a Marcha (Wedding March) for family, friends and even acquaintances. Mary had an amazing sense of humor, with a laugh that was absolutely infectious. She loved to kid, joke and tease, and playfully steal her grandchildren’s birthday money. Her quick wit and sneaky smile kept her loved ones on their toes or in tears of laughter. Mary was a ray of light for many; she lived life to the fullest, full speed and on her own terms.  

Mary is survived by her husband, Luis Ogas Delgado, Jr; two sons, Gilbert (Francine) Delgado of Albuquerque; Steve (Tina) Delgado of Silver City; three daughters, Cecilia Acosta of El Paso, TX, Belinda Delgado (Joe) of Silver City, and Jocelyn Delgado of Albuquerque.  Also surviving Mary are nine grandchildren, Lorissa (Coby); Gilbert Jr, April Rogers (Kevin) Danielle Aguirre, Nick (Natasha) and Jose Luis Delgado; Ayla Quintana; Kiana and Noemi Alvarez; and 12 great grandchildren.   She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Amy Delgado; two brothers, Oscar and Frank Rojas, and one sister, Nancy “Nacha” Gomez

Visitation will be from 5 to 6 pm on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Santa Clara Catholic Church.  Recitation of the Holy Rosary will follow at 6 pm.  The Funeral Liturgy will be at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Santa Clara Catholic Church with Father Casmir Anozie officiating.   Concluding service and burial will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery.    Serving as pall bearers are Gilbert, Steve and Ronald Delgado Sr, Kevin Rogers, Nick Delgado and Jose Luis Delgado. Honorary pall bearers are her remaining grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews of whom she loved dearly. 

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