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Maria Concepcion Ortiz y Pino, known as the Grande Dame of New Mexico, died in the early morning hours on September 30, 2006 from complications of pneumonia. Concha was born in the village of Galisteo in 1910, two years before New Mexico was to become the 47th state of the union. Her family has been politically active and instrumental in shaping the history of New Mexico for the past three hundred years. For almost a century, with a persona larger than life, she aided legions of people through her active involvement in both local and national politics. During her lifetime 19 New Mexico governors and six U.S. presidents, as well as countless state and national politicians knew her by her nickname, "Concha." Her political career began in 1933 when she was 21. She set out through rural New Mexico with Senator Dennis Chavez as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential campaign reaching out to Spanish-speaking voters in rural New Mexico, aiding in his election and the "New Deal Era" which helped bring an end to the Great Depression. It was this first political experience which whetted Concha's appetite for politics leading to her lifelong advocacy for the poor and disabled. In 1941 she received the national distinction of becoming the first female Whip of a state legislature, when she was elected to that position in the 15th New Mexico state legislature. During her lifetime she served on more than 60 state and national boards. Concha was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Pablita; brothers, Frank and Josesito; sisters, Josefita, Margaret and Mela; brother-in-law, Robert H. Martin; and husband, Victor Kleven. She is survived by nephew, Jose Ortiz y Pino III; first cousin, Pedro Ortiz y Pino; and niece, Alice Gomez; grand-nieces and -nephews, Susan Varela, Steve Gomez, Francie Miles, Carla Gomez, Maria Ortiz y Pino, Jose Ortiz y Pino IV; cousins, Gerald Ortiz y Pino, Michael Ortiz y Pino, Loretta Ortiz y Pino, Paul Ortiz y Pino, Ron Ortiz Dinkel, Judt Hasted, Artuto Ortiz, Nelson Ortiz, Margo Ortiz y Davis, Maria Ortiz y Davis Catanach; and at least three generations of nieces and nephews. Concha also leaves behind many devoted friends in New Mexico and around the world. A Rosary will be recited Wednesday, October 4, 2006, at 8:00 p.m., at St. Charles Church in Albuquerque. On Thursday a Rosary will be recited in Santa Fe at the Santuario de Guadalupe at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 6, 2006 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe followed by interment Services at Rosario Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the restoration of the Santuario de Guadalupe in Santa Fe. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 1399 Luisa Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505 984-8600.
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