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XIMENES -- Maria Castillo Ximenes was born in Floresville, Texas and was 83 years of age when she passed away Saturday, September 26, 2009. Maria died of an injury incurred in a fall while hospitalized at Woman's Hospital. She and husband Vicente Ximenes shared a loving relationship for 66 years. Maria was the anchor of the family of four college educated children. Maria's mother died at childbirth and an aunt raised her through early childhood and high school. A chance meeting at a Saturday night dance was the start of a life of dedication to family and country. Maria was an Air Force wife and the one who put her husband through a UNM Master's Degree in Economics. Maria partnered with Vicente in the Agency for International Development's goal for better relations between the U.S., Ecuador, and Panama. Maria traveled with Vicente as an officer and member of the American GI Forum in their quest for civil rights for the Mexican American. Maria was a major contributor in the construction of the American GI Forum National Headquarters in Albuquerque. When President Johnson called them for the appointment to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Maria and Vicente continued their work in civil rights in Washington, D.C. and the White House. Maria was present at the White House Ceremony for the EEOC appointment and the Cabinet Committee on Mexican American Affairs. In 1973 Maria returned to Albuquerque to begin a less hectic life style. Maria devoted her life to keeping the family together. "Do not forget to pray" was the conclusion of a conversation with the family. Maria is survived by husband Vicente; son Ricardo Ximenes and wife Pat Ximenes of Los Lunas; daughter Olivia Ximenes and husband Patrick Harrington of Cody Wyoming; Ana Maria Ximenes and Steve Baroch of Castle Rock, CO; granddaughter Teresa Ximenes and husband Mike Merrill of Dallas; great granddaughters Chloe Ximenes Merrill and Madison Ximenes Merrill of Dallas. Oldest son Steve Ximenes is deceased. Maria is a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and Our Lady of Fatima Ladies' Guild. She is also a member of the CCC Alumni Association. Maria lived at La Vida Llena life care community. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the Vicente Ximenes Scholarship, UNM Dept. of English, Humanities Bldg., 325, MSC 03-2170, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001. The family has a tradition of support of bi-lingual education and civil rights. The Rosary will be recited at French Lomas Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE at 7:00 p.m. Thursday October l, 2009. A Catholic End of Life Celebration will be at her residence at Carter Hall, La Vida Llena, 10501 Lagrima de Oro, NE. on October 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Please visit our online guestbook for Maria at RememberTheirStory.com French 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
        Published on: Tue September 29, 2009