Maria de los Reyes Jaramillo
October 30, 1935 - December 24, 2021
Maria del los Reyes Jaramillo of Tijeras, NM passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, from complications of her ten-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She died on December 24, 2021.
She was born in Veguita, NM in 1935 to Miguel Baca and Rebecca Ulibarri Baca, the fifth of twelve siblings. She graduated from Belen High School in 1953 and went on to attend the University of New Mexico.
As the mother of seven children, she was the central figure in their lives. Anyone who knew them knew that she was an inspiration of joy in their eyes - and that was all that mattered to her. Over the years, she also opened her home to many nephews, nieces, and friends of her children, who always found a warm welcome there. As a loving grandmother, her generous spirit knew no bounds. Despite her large family, Reyes always made time for everyone – providing boundless support and love for everyone. She worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for her children and grandchildren. She often and proudly would boast about all their accomplishments and successes.
In the 1970s, she was the Assistant to Mayor Harry Kinney, then went to work for the Albuquerque Museum where she created and oversaw two wildly successful and long-running cultural events in Albuquerque, namely the Feria Artesana and Summerfest. Through her work with the Feria Artesana, and her enthusiastic advocacy for local artists, she brought attention to the work of countless traditional and contemporary New Mexican artists.
Her activism and advocacy also extended to youth sports. When she learned that girls were not permitted to play on local Little League teams, Reyes lobbied and appealed to local coaches, boards, and league commissions until she was successful in influencing changes to Little League rules that finally and formally allowed girls equal access to league baseball.
In 1983, she married James C. Jaramillo, and they lived in Albuquerque and Corrales, NM before her retirement in 1995. Together they moved to Mexico, where they traveled extensively, finally building a home in La Cruz, Nayarit. Over the years, their home grew to include several beach-front rental bungalows, known as Jardin del Mar. Her eye for art and her passion for collecting transformed the estate into an oasis of traditional Mexican arts and craft, and a still-thriving business venture.
After she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Reyes and Jim returned to Albuquerque in 2015. Eventually living with their granddaughter, Lauren, who cared for her grandmother on a full-time basis and offered exceptional, compassionate, and loving care during the last seven years of her life. With the support of daughters, Elizabeth and Rhonda, Reyes was able to spend her last few years at home, surrounded by loved ones. The family would also like to recognize caregivers, Tasha, Nicole, and Rosie for their kind and competent support and care.
Reyes was preceded in death by daughter Janet; and grandson Gerald-Lee Newsom. She is survived by her husband, James Jaramillo; and by seven children: Jack Newsom (and wife Theri Raby); Jerry Newsom (and wife Vicki); Gene Newsom (and wife Carol); Elizabeth Newsom (and husband Matthew Johnson); Rhonda Newsom (and husband Gil Santistevan); Tomas Newsom (and husband Eric Turic); and Patrick Newsom (and wife Anne Reis). Nine grandchildren also survive her: Jherica Martinez (and husband Chris); Lauren Newsom-Gonzales (and husband Chris Gonzales); Isabella Reis-Newsom; Shane Newsom; Madeline Newsom; Emilio Raby-Newsom; Raquel Raby-Newsom; Nicolas Santistevan; and Santiago Reis-Newsom. She is additionally survived by five great-grandchildren: Indie Martinez; Xavier Newsom-Gonzales; Zaiden Newsom-Gonzales; Levi Martinez; and Ollie Martinez.
The family will fulfill Reyes’ request for a Rosary at Our Lady of Fatima Church, where she attended mass with her children for a large part of her life. There will be a viewing on Thursday, December 30, 2021, from 1:30 to 2:00 PM at Our Lady of Fatima, with the Rosary immediately following at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow.
Her life will be celebrated with a Catholic Mass and burial at the church she attended as a child – San Isidro Catholic Church in Veguita, NM. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 31, 2021, at 10:00 AM.
Our Lady of Fatima Church is located at 4020 Lomas Blvd. NE in Albuquerque. San Isidro Catholic Mission Church is located on Highway 304, south of Baca Road in Veguita, NM.
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SERVICES
Rosary
Thursday, December 30, 2021
2:00 PM
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church
4020 Lomas Blvd NE Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, December 31, 2021
10:00 AM
San Ysidro Catholic Church
Highway 304 South of Baca Road
Veguita, New Mexico