Rita (Lopez) Palacio

Rita L Palacio aged 96 1/2, Loving and devoted family matriarch passed away February 12, 2022. Rita was born on July 30, 1925. Rita married Jose O. Palacio on August 25, 1945 at St Francis Xavier Parish in Albuquerque. She lived and raised her family in Albuquerque until moving to Bosque Farms in 1979.

Rita began making tortillas while standing on a bench at age 5, and continued to make daily perfect tortillas well into her 80’s. She began working at Jill’s bakery at 16. During WWII she trained to rivet planes and eventually became the first female meat wrapper at Sandia Base Commissary where she worked for 25 years. Rita so enjoyed the Senior Citizen’s Center that she lied about her age to join at 49. After retiring in 1976 she cared for her mother, disabled sister, and husband of 56 years. While in Bosque Farms she enjoyed gardening, raising chickens, cows and the rural lifestyle. She was widowed July 9, 2000, and returned to Albuquerque in 2015.

Rita was known for the boundless love and support she gave her family; her friendliness and ability to connect with and befriend anyone. Her physical and spiritual strength, empathy, and her ability to prayerfully endure is well-known. Everyone Rita met was touched by her beauty, grace, peaceful strength, and hospitality. Rita was resourceful, and talented in sewing, cake decorating, gardening and pottery. Although she rarely drove, she enjoyed taking cruises and joyfully traveled the world. Rita made pilgrimages to Holy sites: Medjugorje, Bosnia/Herzegovina; Lourdes, France; Fatima, Portugal, and the Holy land.  She supported the Valencia County Abundant Grace, The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, The Association of Marian Helpers, Companions of St Anthony, Franciscan Mission Associates, was a longtime member of the Blue Army, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and was a lifelong member of the Association of the Miraculous Medal and the National Shrine of St Jude.

After she was widowed in 2000, Rita remarried in 2002 to Anthony (Tony) Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM and they continued to travel. She learned to camp and enjoyed the many dances they attended. She was widowed a second time in July 2009. Rita continued to attend Daily Mass, recite the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and create pottery until 2020. Rita kept up with current world events and enjoyed watching the news.

She was born into poverty and through extremely hard work, perseverance, and boundless generosity she propelled her family forward. She endeavored to model and pass to her decedents her family values, endurance, her work ethic, and her unending faith in God. She was the last of her generation, including first cousins. Truly a part of “The Greatest Generation”; Rita’s family will forever recognize the magnitude of her efforts will be forever grateful!

Rita leaves behind her beloved children: Eileen Maestas; Charles D. Palacio (Lillian), and Audrey Palacio (Todd Underwood). Twelve grandchildren: Pamela Maestas, Rudy Lawrence Maestas (Stephanie), Edward Palacio, Christopher Maestas, Jesse Palacio, Loretta Aragon, Marlene Palacio, Phillip Palacio, Jennifer Torres-Piedra (Aaron), Matthew Palacio, Betheny Palacio-Aragon. Twenty-three great-grandchildren: Martin Jaramillo (Carolyn), Monica Lopez, Matthew Lopez (Vanessa), Marissa Lopez, Anthony Maestas (Alicia), Amber Davis (Jackson), Isabella Palacio-Gonzales (Nicolas), Charles E. Palacio, Charlene Palacio, Ariana Palacio, Jerome Palacio, Jesslyn Palacio, Fermin Palacio, Dahlia Palacio, Catalina Palacio, Kitana Palacio, Anthony Crespin (Jayde), Nathanial Piedra, Julian Torres, David Piedra, Donovan Dunn, and Joshua Piedra. Eleven great-great-grandchildren: Michael Jaramillo, Rosalie Jaramillo, Natalie Lopez, Xavier Lopez, Annalisa Lopez, Kayden Crespin, Theo Davis, Rex Peak, Julio Gonzales, and Natalie Gonzales. She has many Godchildren, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Rita is now reunited with: her parents; Raquel (Gonzales) and Eduardo Lopez, her husband, Jose O. Palacio; Son, Ernest L. Palacio; Daughter, Sylvia Palacio-Aragon; Grandchildren, Justina A. Aragon and Joel A. Torres, great-grandchild Jordyn Leanna Aragon and all her siblings: Sinforosa Vigil, Rupert Lopez, Antonita Lopez, David Lopez, Richard G Lopez, Priscilla Lopez, Sara Elizabeth Lopez-Torres, Eduardo Lopez.

Pallbearers: Edward Palacio, Jesse Palacio, Rudy Lawrence Maestas, Christopher Maestas, Phillip Palacio, and Matthew Palacio, Martin Jaramillo, Anthony Maestas, Anthony Crespin and Matthew Lopez, and Loretta Aragon.

Isabelle and Rudy Jaramillo will be reciting the Rosary

A Visitation and Rosary followed by a Mass will take place on Monday, March 7, 2022, 8:15am at Holy Rosary Parish, 5415 Fortuna Rd. NW, 87105. This event will also be live-streamed from the church for those unable to attend and can be found on Https://holyrosaryabq.org or YouTube Channel Holy Rosary ABQ, Interment will follow at 1:15 pm. where she will be laid to rest and reunited with her husband at the Santa Fe, National Cemetery sec 11 site 206