Maria Aragon

Maria Aragon, age 87, a resident of Albuquerque, NM peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2011. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of Assumption and St. Mary's Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Early in her life, she was a Franciscan nun for over 35 years. She was a strict and beloved elementary school teacher for 50 years. At various points in her life she was teacher, principal, and basketball coach. She taught in the Amarillo Catholic School in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California. She taught for over 49 years and even after retirement volunteered as a teacher at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School. She also tutored students in her spare time. She won awards such as Teacher of the Year. She dedicated her life to the education of young children, reaching over 1,250 students, many of whom would contact her over the years. For enjoyment she crocheted blankets and donated them for Project Linus. She taught family members how to crochet as well. She was an avid reader of mysteries written by Agatha Christie. She traveled abroad to Sri-Lanka and Mauritius. She went with family members on several cruises to Alaska. She had a very strong faith in God and often lit candles for loved ones in their time of need. She was generous with donations and Charities for Children such as sponsoring a child overseas. In her last years, she spent much of her time attending functions at the Barrelas Sr. Center. She was a very devout Catholic and faithful servant of God. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She is now, and has always been – with God. She is preceded in death by her parents, Alfredo and Melecita Aragon; her brother, Wilfred Aragon; her brother-in-law, Melquiades Sanchez and nephew, Antonio Aragon. Maria is survived by her three brothers, Manuel Aragon, Gilbert Aragon, and Philix Aragon; two sisters, Colfita Sanchez and Rita Aragon; four sister's in-law, Linda Aragon, Bessie Aragon, Connie Aragon, and Margitta Aragon, and close family friend, Julie Arnold; 20 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews. All services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, beginning with a viewing on Thursday, December 29, at 9:00 a.m. with a rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Valencia Catholic Cemetery. Sign Maria’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

Maria Aragon

December 23, 2011