Mary Anthony Trujillo

1939-2018 On Sunday, September 9, 2018, Mary Anthony Trujillo, beloved sister and aunt, passed away at the age of 78. Mary Anthony was born in 1939, in Belen, New Mexico to Josefita Chavez and Anastacio Trujillo. She was raised by her loving grandmother Felicitas Chavez. Mary Anthony attended St. Mary’s Catholic School throughout grade-school, and graduated from Belen High School in 1960. In 1958, she went on a field trip to New York City and Washington, DC where she discovered a passion for politics, and public service. Upon graduation, Mary Anthony attended the Western Business School for Secretaries and was employed by the New Mexico Public Welfare Department. In 1961, she was invited by Senator Dennis Chavez, the first US born and longest serving Latino in the Senate, to move to Washington and work alongside him on Capitol Hill. Mary Anthony’s passion for politics and dedication to public service inspired her to serve on the Congressional Secretaries Club, the United States Senate Staff Club, and the Inter-Agency Committee on Mexican American Affairs. For the past 57 years, Mary Anthony dedicated her life’s work to the mission of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), helping all Americans have equal access to the housing of their choice. She worked for nine U.S. Presidents and 17 HUD Secretaries. When asked to point to the highlights of her career, she was quick to say how proud she was to be photographed with every HUD Secretary since HUD was founded. In March of this year, Mary Anthony completed her public service of 57 years and retired from the Federal Government. She was known for her quick wit, infectious smile, and kind and compassionate spirit. She devoutly attended Mass and was a faithful Catholic throughout her life. Mary Anthony loved to travel, and host dinner parties. She was greatly admired by all her family and friends and those who were fortunate enough to meet her. Despite the distance between Washington and New Mexico, Mary Anthony kept in touch and remained very close to her brother Raymond Sanchez and her niece Genevieve Sandoval, whom she often came to visit. Her uncle Aituro and Aunt Erlinda Chavez, and all her extended Chavez family were all never far from her thoughts and prayers. Mary Anthony was a wonderful sister, an inspiring woman, a beloved daughter, granddaughter, and aunt. She is greatly loved and will be sorely missed. Mary Anthony was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leandro Chavez and Felicitas Marquee-Chavez of Belen; and her parents Josefita Chavez-Gutierrez and Anastacio Trujillo. She is survived by her brother, Raymond Sanchez and his wife Clarita Sanchez; her niece, Genevieve Sandoval and husband Gerald Sandoval, and their kids, Gerald, and Christopher; her nephew, Raymond Sanchez and wife Tina Sanchez, and their kids, Raymond, Nathaniel, and Destiny; and her nephew, Fr. Steven Anthony Sanchez. All services will take place at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. A Rosary will be recited for the repose of her soul at 9:30am on Tuesday, October 02, 2018, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00am, after which the interment will take place at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. Please sign Mary Anthony’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM

Mary Anthony Trujillo

October 23, 1939 - September 9, 2018