Mary Helen Santistevan, age 79 passed away December 29, 2014 at MCMC in Raton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George Santistevan and Jenny Pacheco Santistevan, a sister, Marcella Santistevan White, brothers-in-law; Robert White and Polo M. Fernandez, nephews; Joey, Gregory and Gabriel Santistevan. She is survived by brothers, Joe (Martha), Paul (Anna), sister Molly S. Fernandez all of Springer, aunt Marie Rodriquez (Juan) of Santa Fe and numerous nieces, great nieces, nephews and great nephews and cousins.
Mary Helen was born November 17, 1935 in Pecos, NM and lived in Springer most of her life. She graduated from Springer High School in 1954 and worked for Nobles Department Store for many years. She was a catechism teacher for St. Joseph’s Parish for many years and enjoyed participating in the Springer Community Choir. After the death of her father and already in her 50’s she worked as a teacher’s aide at the NM Boys School and enrolled in college at NM Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM. Working and attending classes was a physical, mental and financial struggle for her, but she managed to be on the dean’s list and earn a bachelor’s degree in education. She taught school at the NM Boys School until the school was closed. She also taught school at St. Patrick’s Catholic school and Raton Public Schools. She went in to kidney failure and was forced to retire because of her health. She was on dialysis for several years.
Mary Helen loved children and enjoyed teaching them. She loved all of her nieces, nephews, cousins and her cousin’s children. She was an avid booster for the Springer Red Devil basketball team, attending all games until she could no longer attend because of her health. She was an excellent cool and loved to feed people. She had many friends in northeastern NM and will be missed.
Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be held on Saturday January 10th at 10:00am at St. Joseph’s (Springer, NM) recited by Edward Gonzales followed by the Solemn Mass of the Resurrection at 10:30am with Father Daniel Balizan as the celebrant. Rite of committal and interment will be at the Springer Cemetery.
Arrangements for Mary Helen Santistevan are under the care and direction of the Alderette Pomeroy Funeral Home of Raton.
