Maria (Mary) Magdalena Sandoval Anaya

Mary Anaya, 94, passed away on March 16, 2024, at her home in Moriarty, NM.

Mary was born on January 19, 1930, in Ortiz, Colorado to Lucia and Candido Sandoval. She grew up in Ortiz, Colorado and graduated from Maxwell High School. She graduated from Highlands University and at the age of 19, she started teaching in a one room classroom and also served as the principal. Mary met Mike Anaya while attending Highlands University and on August 9, 1954, they married in Antonito, Colorado.

Mary and Mike owned several businesses in Moriarty, including Mike’s Friendly Store. She devoted her life to raising a family of eight while being very involved in the community. She impacted many individuals by being a member of the Garden Club, the Extension Club, American Legion Auxiliary Post 74, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society since its inception, a 4-H leader, Moriarty PTA, Bethel Storehouse Board member and as a volunteer. Mary and Mike sponsored three exchange students, who became family. She will be remembered.

One of Mary’s passions was the Read Write Literacy Program, teaching English as a second language and Spanish to the Englishspeaking. She tutored students for citizenship well into her 90’s.

Mary is preceded in death by her mother and father, Lucia and Candido Sandoval; sons, Baby Robert and Michael Eugene, sister Antonina Chavez; brothers, John Sandoval, Luciano Sandoval, Candido Sandoval, Guillermo Sandoval and Alfonso Sandoval.

She is survived by her husband Mike Anaya of 69 years, her children: Michaela Allen (Harold), Steven Anaya (Shara), Lawrence Anaya (Julie), Juanita Shasteen (David), Patricia Sullivan (Patrick), Roberta Reagan (Lewis), Victoria Saad (Max); 20 Grandchildren, 17 greatgrandchildren; sister Alice Lujan, many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Antonio Sandoval, Gary Sandoval, Eddie Lujan, Patrick Chavez, Ruben Sandoval, Kenneth Allen, Samuel Shasteen and Bennett Reagan.

Honorary pallbearers are Phil Anaya, Eric Anaya, Jeffrey Anaya, Christopher Anaya, Alex Anaya, Brendan Sullivan, Austin Anaya and Keno Anaya.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Moriarty. The rosary will be at 10:00 a.m., Eulogy and Mass following. Interment is at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Moriarty followed by a meal at the Moriarty Civic Center.

Arrangements are entrusted to Harris Hanlon Mortuary in Moriarty, NM.