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Martha Apodaca Montoya, age 86, of Santa Fe died Thursday, surrounded by her loving family and friends in her Ponce de Leon home after a long, courageous battle against congestive heart failure. She was born in Santa Fe on June 9, 1920, to Bernardino and Ursula Martinez Apodaca, and baptized in St. Francis Cathedral. After attending St. Francis Cathedral School and Manderfield School, she went to work at age 10 as a housekeeper and supported herself and her younger sister, Annie. She was introduced to Manuel Montoya of Santa Fe, in late 1937, and after a seven-month courtship, they were married in St. Francis Cathedral on June 22, 1938. She was the daughter-in-law of Vicente and Gertrudes Narvaiz Montoya. The 44-year marriage was blessed with five sons and two daughters. She was a devoted wife and mother. Her children and their families were her life. She also was a skilled seamstress and quilt maker; a resourceful master cook and baker; and the self-appointed surrogate mother of many hungry children at Carlos Gilbert Elementary School, where she worked in the cafeteria. She was a lifelong member of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, and a former member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Her parents; sister, Annie Apodaca Herrera; her beloved husband, Manuel; and granddaughter, Tanya Montoya preceded her in death. She is survived by her sons, Tomas, Pete, Manuel Carlos, Fred, and Sam; and daughters, Patricia Pitel and husband, Mike, and Florence Curtis and former husband, Robert Curtis; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; younger sister, Connie Apodaca Arvisu and husband, Ismael of Provo, UT; several half-sisters and half-brothers; and several other relatives. Visitation will be on Saturday, March 31, 2007 and Sunday, April 1, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. Berardinelli Family Chapel. Rosaries will be recited starting at 7 p.m., both days. Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m., Monday, April 2, 2007 in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, followed by burial in Santa Fe National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Services, 1399 Luisa Street, Santa Fe, NM, 87505. (505) 984-8600.
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