Marie Olivia Tafoya

Marie Jane Tafoya; age 76, beloved wife, mother, and nana, was called to Heaven on Friday, April 10, 2020. She entered this world on Sunday, December 19, 1943 in Centre, Colorado born to Edward and Margie Quintana. She married Reynaldo Tafoya on January 30, 1960, in Leadville, Colorado. In 1961 they moved to Grants, NM to start their family, Reynaldo Jr. born in 1961 and Margie born in 1967. Married for 60 years they built a life together full of love and respect for each other.

Throughout her life she took pride in taking care of people, most importantly her family. Her grandchildren were gold to her. If you were at Nana’s house you were home. Cooking and music were her favorite things to pass along to her children. She was always a phone call away if you forgot a recipe or a phone number. She loved her daily phone calls to any and everyone who would answer, calls that will be greatly missed.

She was survived by her loving husband, Reynaldo Tafoya of Grants NM; son Reynaldo Tafoya Jr. of Grants NM; daughter Margie Marez and husband Paul of Grants NM; daughter Jacqueline Tafoya and partner Jason Torrez of Albuquerque NM; granddaughter, Samantha Marez and fiancé Estevan Eylicio of Grants NM; grandson, Robert Marez of Grants NM; great-granddaughter Arabella Tafoya of Grants NM; great-grandson, Diondre Tafoya and partner Samantha Molina of Grants NM; great-grandsons, Benjamin Tafoya, Ethan Tafoya, Raymond Tafoya and Nicholas Eylicio of Grants NM; sister, Louanna Vigil of Santa Fe NM; brothers-in-law, Joe Tafoya and wife Ruth of Albuquerque NM and Anselmo Tafoya and wife Pauline of Llano NM; sisters-in-law, Patsy Chacon and husband Lalo of Albuquerque and Orlinda Apodaca of Grants NM; aunt and uncle, Rudy and Ruth Salazar of Cedar City UT; goddaughters, Sandra Rodriguez of Penasco NM and Kimea Martinez of Tucson AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Robert Lee and Edward Quintana; godson, Benny Vigil Jr; and numerous aunts and uncles as she was the last surviving member of both the Quintana and Pacheco family.

She will be laid to rest on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at Grants Memorial Park. Please visit www.frenchfunerals.com to sign a guestbook and receive a link to attend the intimate viewing virtually, beginning at 10:00 am. A small graveside service will start at 1:00 pm we kindly ask those attending to stay inside their vehicle for social distancing purposes. A formal celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.