Mary Ann Thibodeau

Mary Ann Thibodeau, OCDS, passed away April 28, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.  She was 87 years old.  She suffered with dementia for the last years of her life, slowly losing her physical abilities but thankfully she still knew who she was, recognized her caregivers and visitors, and was comforted by her strong catholic faith and love for the Lord.  She wrote “As a child, God met me in the meadow, skipping happily over the wet grass.  The moist blades of grass felt so good on my toes.…God blessed me with a simple playground, a very special place, which I called my own.  I loved being with the Alone, but never realized the profound effect that these things would have on my life.”

Mary Ann was born in Wagon Mound, NM, and was the 2nd of 12 children, a large, close family, descendants of the early Spanish settlers in NM.  Her paternal grandfather, Pedro Sanchez, died early and her grandmother, Philomena Sanchez eventually moved to Las Vegas, NM.  Her maternal grandparents, Jose and Beneriza Medina settled in Santa Fe.  Mary Ann’s family home was built by her dad and uncle across the street from them.  From a very young age, Mary Ann helped deliver and raise her siblings.  She worked various jobs to help support her family and after High School, attended and graduated from Regina School of Nursing in 1956.  She enlisted in the Air Force in 1958 serving active duty for 2 years, traveling many places including her favorite duty station, Japan.  Her last year was spent in the Reserves.  Mary Ann met her future husband at an annual Santa Fe Fiesta.  They exchanged letters for some 6 years before marrying in Santa Fe in 1961.   The newlyweds moved to Winoski, Vermont, where she worked at the nearby hospital until delivering her first child and enduring the heavy snows and cold of winter in Vermont.  The family moved back to NM, settling in Albuquerque, where she worked for Bataan Memorial Hospital (Later called Lovelace Medical Center).  Retiring after nearly 40 years there, she then began traveling taking trips to the Holy Land and Europe.  A few years later, she took in and cared for her mother until her death.  By that time her own grandchildren became her daily source of joy.

While still working, she was involved in East Mesa Civitan Club where she held numerous offices including President, Secretary, and Lt. Gov. She was awarded a Club Honor Key for her dedicated service.  During the same time, she became involved in numerous activities at her church, St. Bernadette’s, including volunteering in the neighborhood evangelization program, taking communion to patients at Presbyterian Hospital, Altar Rosary Society duties, and eventually joining the Carmelite program which she loved.  She studied and worked hard to attain the status of Secular Carmelite.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard A., son, Mark, parents Cristobal and Estella Sanchez, sisters Gloria Sanchez and Angela Roybal.  She is survived by her children Audrey Clements, Richard R (Kirsten) Thibodeau, Michelle (John) Seaver, and Yvette (Michael) Parsons.  Grand children Kasey (Luke) Freimanis, Tyler Thibodeau, Jordyn Thibodeau, Mark (Abbey) Seaver, Ethan Seaver, Emily Seaver, Nicole Seaver, Jacob Parsons, Lucas Parsons and great-granddaughter Eden Dokmo.  She is also survived by her siblings Connie Montoya, Christine Baca, Cris (Dolores) Sanchez, Teresa (Ray) Valdez, Peggy (Paul) Vigil, Leo Sanchez, Patrycia Sanchez (Maggie Murray), Anthony (Francille) Sanchez, and Ed Sandoz.  There are numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, and their families who were very important to her.  She had many friends throughout the Catholic community especially the Order of Carmelites and Altar Rosary Society, and her many years in Civitan.  She loved her neighbors on Gloria Pl.

The family lovingly thanks her trusted Visiting Angel companion, Carole, who spent the last 2 ½ years caring for her and supporting the family.  We thank her entire care team at High Desert Hospice, especially nurses Yvonne and Alejandra and our CNAs that were there every day.  Thank you to her friend Sandy Azevedo for bringing communion to her when she could no longer attend mass.

Visitation and Remembrance will take place Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas.  Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2022 beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the Rosary, followed at 10:00 a.m. by the Funeral Mass at The Shrine of St. Bernadette, 11401 Indian School Road NE, Albuquerque, NM.  Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 7999 Wyoming Blvd NE.  The family is hosting a reception immediately following the burial at The Shrine of St. Bernadette Parish Hall.  All are welcome to come celebrate Mary Ann’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to CatholicTV, PO Box 9196, Watertown, MA, 02471, as they provided much appreciated spiritual and emotional support to Mary Ann, the family, and her caregivers for the last years of her life.