 PACHECO, MARY ELIZABETH LOPEZ born on March 6, 1923 in Maxwell, NM, daughter of Ignacio and Margarita Lopez, passed on April 1, 2014 at the age of 91. Elizabeth, a resident of Santa Fe, NM, and former resident of Maxwell, Springer, and Raton, NM, was married to Manuel Jose Pacheco on July 8, 1940 until his death in July 1999-nearly 60 years. They lived most of their lives on a farm in Maxwell, and raised 12 children. All children eventually married and blessed Elizabeth and Manuel with 41 grandchildren and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren. Children include Dr. Manuel Trinidad Pacheco (Karen) of Phoenix, AZ; Margaret Safallo (Al) of Prescott, AZ; Dr. John Maurice Pacheco (Bea) of Santa Fe, NM; Ignacio Robert Pacheco (Carol) of Denver, Colorado; Julia Rosita Chavez (Randy) of Albuquerque, NM; Olivia Elizabeth Ann Huggins (Ronnie) of Lawrenceville, GA; Theresa Marie Wittig (Evan) of San Antonio, TX; Bernadette Agnes Trujillo (John) of Baltimore, MD; Anna Marie Robinson (Richard) of Las Cruces, NM; Dr. Mario Francis James Pacheco (Diana) of Santa Fe, NM; Dr. Rita Magdalene Pacheco-Gonzales (Esteban) of Las Cruces, NM; and Christopher Mark Pacheco (Judy) of Elizabeth, CO. Elizabeth was preceded in death by sister, Julia Lopez, and brothers Louis Ignacio Lopez and Pablo Antonio Lopez. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and one sister-in-law. In her early married years Elizabeth first accompanied Manuel as a migrant farmworker in Colorado and before long settled in Maxwell, NM as their primary residence, eventually purchasing a farm and tractor. Elizabeth helped Manuel run a dairy farm by milking every morning at pre-dawn among other things, while Manuel tended cattle, and pursued various other small animal ventures, aside from his regular job at the NM State Highway Department in Springer, NM. Elizabeth and Manuel raised 12 children on the farm in Maxwell, NM. In addition, Elizabeth played the organ for mass at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Maxwell and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springer, over the majority of her lifetime, a service she began at St. Patrick's Academy in Raton, NM since the age of 12. She also taught religious education classes at St. Vincent De Paul Church in Maxwell. She served for over 25 years as Secretary for the Maxwell School Board, working diligently for decades to keep the school independent and successful, and also served as Secretary for the NM State Board of Education. After her youngest child was ready to leave for college, Elizabeth pursued a bachelors degree and graduated summa cum laude from Highlands University, and taught at the New Mexico Boys Correctional Facility in Springer, NM for almost 20 years. She was honored in 1983 as New Mexico's Mother of the Year. Fittingly, she continued her motherly role, guiding boys at the correctional facility, teaching them to read, write, and develop a sense of self-worth. These troubled young men invigorated a fresh sense of purpose after her children were grown and left home. Elizabeth enjoyed traveling to Europe, South America, Israel, Mexico, and other places. Her love of music, traveling, and reading enveloped every element of her life and transferred to her children & grandchildren. Visitation will begin at 6:00 PM Thursday, April 3, 2014 at Santa Maria De La Paz Catholic Church, where a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM Thursday evening. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Friday, April 4, 2014 at Santa Maria De La Paz. A Memorial Service will be conducted at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Maxwell, NM at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 5, 2014, with interment to follow at the Maxwell Cemetery.
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