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Natalia Nieto, 96, peacefully went to her just reward to be with our Lord on Wednesday, August 4, 2010, a beautiful morning. She joins her husband, Simon; her own mother, Maria Sandoval; son, Donald; and grandsons, Roberto Gonzales, Keith Poutney, and David Nieto. The mother of 14; grandmother of 38; great-grandmother of 45; and great-great-grandmother of 4, she was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico on April 10, 1914. She grew up in Denver, Colorado, where she met and married husband of over 60 years. Together, they served the United Methodist Church in the Rio Grande Conference, with pastorates in El Paso, San Antonio, Edinburg, Corpus Christi, Laredo, Texas, Emporia, Kansas, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a long-time minister, and she, a loyal, hard-working and faithful leader of the many women's organizations in all of the churches to which they were assigned. The Nieto's retired in Albuquerque in 1981. She was a wonderful mother, a magician at getting all her children ready for church every Sunday, and making sure we all did our chores around the house. She remains a shining example for all of us and her grandchildren of what a well-grounded, spiritual person can be. She was an unlicensed re-setter of broken bones, nurse during asthma attacks, seamstress for Easter outfits and annual new pajamas, and an effective disciplinarian from one end of the church pew to another with just one look. Wherever she made her home, there were always her healthy plants, which she tended lovingly and faithfully. After raising her children, her artistic talents emerged, and she took pictures wherever she felt inspired, and then produced a watercolor or acrylic impression. She was an excellent nurse at home and, for a brief period, a nurse's aide, a role into which she slid naturally. She could feed a crowd of kids and house guests from a pot of beans, and all of those who came in contact with her from one strong, giving heart. All the while her faith in the Lord was the shining light that kept her going. Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Esther and Joe Gutierrez, of Phoenix, Arizona; Of all her 14 children, the 13 who remain are Leo Nieto of Claremont, California, John Nieto and wife, Renay of Rockwell, Texas, Betty and George Poutney of Placentia, California, Shirley and husband, Tony Espinosa, Pauline and Jim Gonzales, Charlotte and David Maldonado, Jeanne Sundermann, Margaret and Ted Shogry, all of Albuquerque, Arthur Nieto of Denver, Colorado, Daniel Nieto, Gilbert Nieto and Luis Morales, James and wife, Araceli, and Sylvia and Dionisio Salazar all reside in Austin, Texas. Natalia's second oldest son, Donald, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away in 1999. We miss her terribly and will always have the many memories she left us. The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to AmberCare Hospice Service and Footprints Homecare for their gentle, loving care during our mother's departure. Friends may visit French - University Chapel, Sunday, August 8, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. A celebration of Natalia's life will be held on Monday, August 9, 2010, 10:00 a.m., at El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church, 700 Granite Ave NW, with Reverend Jesse Bermudez officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menual Blvd. NE. Please visit our online guestbook for Natalia at: www.RememberTheirStory.com. French 1111 University Blvd. NE. (505) 843-6333
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