Mary Sanchez-Driggers

Mary Sanchez-Driggers

1935-2024

Mary Sanchez-Driggers, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, neighbor and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at her home in Jarales, surrounded by her loving family.

Services were held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Monday, Aug. 26. Interment followed at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Mary was born in Santa Rita (Riley), N.M., to Cruzita (Baca) and Vicente Peralta, and was baptized Merencia Armelinda Peralta. As a child, Mary played in the Rio Salado with her siblings and cousins in the shadow of the Ladron Mountain.

She helped with the family garden, cooked, cleaned, hauled water for drinking, helped tend the family livestock, and attended the one-room Riley schoolhouse. All this before electricity and indoor plumbing.

Mary was very close to her maternal grandmother, Sara, and learned at a very young age to pray and trust all things to God.

Mary married Jose Pantaleon Sanchez, of Magdalena, and together they had 11 children. The family settled on a farm in Jarales. After the tragic and untimely death of her husband, Mary raised her young children and maintained the family farm.

Mary was a devoted mother and mother-in-law.

She is survived by sons and daughters, Fred (Cabrini), Mary Lucy (Gilbert Baca), Raymond (Diane), Clarence (Evelyn), Nancy (Steve Raether), Margaret (Dante Berry), Frances (Doug Hoffer), (Sara White), Felipe, and Martin (Jeanette). Grandma Mary is also survived by more than 100 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Jose Pantaleon Sanchez; her daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Steve Driggers; her son, Paul Sanchez; and her grandsons, Eddie, Adrian and Ramon. She is also preceded in death by Frank Giron and Andrew Driggers.

Mary worked for many years at the Los Lunas Hospital Training School, helping and loving the severely handicapped children who lived there. She called them her angels. Mary also worked for ARCA, caring and assisting adult handicapped individuals who lived independently in group homes. She was kind and protective of her charges.

Mary was generous and authentic with her love and in her life. She loved to exercise, to dance, to laugh, to bowl, to pray, to sew, to travel and was an avid puzzler. Mary traveled extensively throughout the continental United States and vacationed in Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and throughout Europe.

She was an active member of Belen chapter of the Catholic Daughters of Americas. She was also a member and supporter of The Servants of Mary — St. Julian Community, Belen, The Divine Mercy, The Blessed Sacrament Society, The Legion of Mary and a proud member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church.

She faithfully sat with the blessed sacrament one hour per week until her health declined. She received daily communion until she left this earth for her heavenly home. Mary, as her grandmother before her, was a Rezadora — a Prayer Warrior for God.

All her children, grandchildren, in-laws and out-laws will never forget the blessings she gave when saying goodbye. She blessed with the following, “I bless you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” She then added prayers and words of wisdom for that specific loved one and a stern reminder to pray.

The family wishes to thank everyone who supported us with love, prayers, visits and food throughout this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please pray a rosary or offer a mass for those in need.

Please sign Mary’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.