Mary Agnes Abeyta

Mary Agnes Abeyta, was reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Benjamin Abeyta, on Friday, September 2, 2022. Mary, age 90, passed peacefully at home with her family surrounding her at her bedside. Mary is survived by her 5 sons; Ben (wife Geretta), Chris (wife Patricia), Joseph, Matthew (wife Becky), Marc (wife Nancy); 12 grandchildren; Audrey (Norman husband), Benjamin (wife Emily), Daniel (wife Laura), Cynthia, Felicia (Husband Jason), Christopher, Veronica (husband Brian), Matthew (wife Danielle), Nicholas, Gabriella, Ava and Maya; 20 great-grandchildren; Nicholas, Isabella, Alexandra, Benji, Lydia, Sadie, Sammy, Danny, Adelina, Lucas, Adastros, Shaun, Nevaeh, Elijah, Mikah, Jameson, Juliette, Johnathan, Nolan, Mason; brother Alex Chavez (wife Elena); in-laws Jennie and Alex Vallejos, Dolly Abeyta, Christine Abeyta, Jean Abeyta, Pat Garcia and numerous other relatives and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband, Benjamin of 72 years; her mother, Mary Sandoval Chavez (husband Ted); her grandparents who raised her, Blas and Francesquita Sandoval; sister, Rita Morales (husband Ray); in-laws, Margaret Abeyta, Severiano Abeyta, Frank Abeyta, Tim Abeyta, and most recently her cousin who she considered her sister, Mary Helen Alvarez-Munoz who passed away exactly 1 week before Mary.

Mary had a true devotion to her family, raising boys that she couldn’t have been prouder of. She was known to put her family first and that extended to her many relatives, but also to friends she considered family. Although many would call Mary a homemaker, those who knew her best knew she was not only a great wife and mother, but she was Ben’s business partner and together they had many successful business endeavors. From Malibu Gift Shop and Coors Trading Post, to ventures in real estate, to selling goods at Native fiestas throughout New Mexico, and of course their most notable to kids of all ages - Bennie’s Ice Cream Truck. Mary would sell, she would keep the books and she would even pack up the boys and drive the ice cream truck when Ben was on duty at the Fire Station.

Mary’s true passion was her faith in God and her Catholic religion. She gave endlessly of her time, treasure, and talent. In 1953, the Abeyta family became members of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church and in that same year, Mary started the Altar Society at the church. She served as a Catholic Daughter, a Eucharistic Minister, the Sacred Heart League, Legion of Mary Auxiliary, Small Christian Community, Marriage Encounter, Marriage Enrichment, Weekly Rosary Devotion Group, Coordinator of Las Posadas, and Rosary Makers. In fact, she continued to make rosaries for the sick up until weeks before she was called home. In addition to her commitment to the church itself, Mary’s devotion to her faith could be felt in her presence, through her prayers and in her beautiful written word. She inspired all those around her and to know her was to be closer to one’s own faith.

In celebration of her most beautiful life, A Rosary will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., and the Mass will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 5415 Fortuna Rd NW Albuquerque, NM 87105. Following the mass, all are invited to her burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery and a reception in the Sala at Holy Rosary. In her true dedication to family, Mary chose her grandchildren to serve in her funeral services. Pallbearers are Benjamin, Daniel, Christopher, Matthew, Nicholas, and Gabriella. Honorary Pallbearers are Audrey, Felicia, Cynthia, Veronica, Ava, and Maya.

In lieu of flowers, Mary’s wish is for memorial contributions to be made to Holy Rosary Parish https://holyrosaryabq.org