In Loving Memory of Felipita “Pita” Maestas

Felipita “Pita” (Montoya) Maestas, age 105, went to live with the Lord on April 28, 2024.

The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM on Friday, May 3, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Clayton, New Mexico and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 4, 2024, with Fr. Joseph Baltz as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico.

Pita Maestas Was born on January 14, 1919, in Miera, New Mexico to Lavrano Montoya and Aguda Padilla Montoya. Pita was born a twin her mother could not take care of both, so Pita was raised by Uncle Pedro and Aunt Gertrude Padilla. Pita’s aunt passed away, so she was then raised by Antonio and Benita Chacon. Pita went to School in Clapham and then to Clayton School. Antonio passed away so Benita took her to Van Houten, NM. Pita met Jose Maestas in Mora and they were married at a very young age. Together they had 10 Children. Much later in life, she met Frank Archuleta, and they had 3 Children. Pita worked very hard in life, she took people to broomcorn and other field jobs, and she worked at the Eklund, Motels, and Cafe. She loved life, and she enjoyed her animals, she also had a cow, a pig, a beautiful peacock, some ducks, baby chicks, hamsters, parakeets which she still has, and several chihuahuas male and female and they were all called Rosie. She loved to grow a garden and she did very good with that, she did needlepoint which she enjoyed. She also keeps herself a little occupied doing word search puzzles. Pita was a member of ST Frances Xavier Catholic Church. She Loved God. She was a member of the Ladies Alter Society. She was very excited when she was told that two of her great great-great-granddaughters were having twins. She loved spending time with all her family when they came to visit. especially on holidays, she had a house full. She also enjoyed the reunions and birthday events held in her honor with all her family and friends. she loved looking at her wall with pride at her children’s and grandchildren’s military pictures. The death of her Children was very painful for her, her health started failing when she lost her daughter Vickie. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sons Baby Frankie Archuleta, and Alfonso Maestas, 4 daughters Baby Juanita Maestas, Nellie Bodine, Evelyn Maestas, Vickie Herrera, 3 Brothers Nicklous Montoya, Margarito Montoya (twin brother) 1 sister Lucy Padilla, 4 daughter-in-law Cora Maestas, Georgia Maestas, Mary Archuleta, Nora Maestas, 2 son-on-laws Albert Madrid, Frank Lucero. She is survived by daughters Sadie Castillo from Muleshoe Tx., Amelia Maestas Hugoton Ks., Gloria Lucero (Joe) Clayton NM., Betty Archuleta (Jimmy) Clayton NM., 3 sons Felix Maestas, Gene Archuleta Clayton NM., Juan Maestas Los Lunas NM., 1 son-in-law Chris Herrera Texline Tx., Several nieces, nephews and cousins. Her total family members Children and all grandchildren was 409. Deceased children and grandchildren 36. We will always Cherish her advice, laughter, jokes stories singing, and dances. Mom will be remembered especially for the love she shared with all her family who were her pride and joy. She will leave a huge hole in our hearts and a big loss in our lives. She will be very happy in God’s paradise! We Love you, Mom and Grandma.