AnnaMarie Leonedres Nuñez (Baca),65 of Manzano, went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on December 6.
AnnaMarie was born to Francis & Felicita Baca in Old Town, Albuquerque. She graduated from Mountainair High School where she was involved in many extra-curricular activities. She then graduated from DeWolff College as a certified cosmetologist. After styling hair for only a few years, she began working at the schools to better accommodate her kids and their schedules. Before retiring from the schools, she had many roles. She launched and coordinated the first after-school program at Mountainair Elementary School, worked as a secretary, coordinated the underage drinking prevention program, and did everything in between. She was special to so many fellow faculty members, parents, and students. She was an angel to whom she called her “rough and tough middle school boys.” She was their greatest advocate. She also ran many programs outside of school. She had a passion for making sure that there was always something for the youth, whether it was recreation activities, employment, or learning about our land and culture. She was a proud Manzanera. She served as a Manzano Land Grant officer. As a devout Catholic, she was a eucharistic minister, and served as mayordomo of the church numerous times. She was strong in her faith and loved tradition. AnnaMarie was as tough as they come. No matter what life handed her, she always handled it with class.
Her most valued treasure was her family. AnnaMarie married the love of her life, Roy. Together they had six children. She was the most devoted wife and mother. Her children were always her number one priority and once they had all graduated, she once again became inseparable from Roy. They did everything together.
AnnaMarie is survived by her husband Jose “Roy” Nuñez; parents Francis and Felicita Baca; children Jose Nuñez (Krystyn), Phylicia Nuñez (Oscar), Francesca Nuñez (Louis), Estevan Nuñez, Patricia Padilla (Patrick), and Elizabeth Nuñez-Lopez (Chris); grandchildren Kayley and Gabriel Nuñez, Aydan and Avianna Nuñez-Madrid, Mila and Makayla Gonzales, Chelsea Nelson (AJ), Danielle Padilla, Aliyah Shank (Josiah), LeeAnne Padilla, Luke Lopez (Cynthia), Alyssa Lopez (Kane), Issiah, Adrian and Presley Lopez; Great grandchildren Levi Nelson, Isela Padilla, Layla Padilla-Saunders, Noah Shank, Mathias, Mateo, and Kayce Lopez, Kash Deats and three on the way; Siblings Naphie Lovato (Gilbert), Francisco Baca (Mari), Deborah Benavidez (Daniel), Louise Ortega (Frank), Margaret Free (Melvin), Joseph Baca (Stacey), Lena Nuñez, Feliciano Nuñez (Angela), Katy Brito, Lucy Nuñez, and Juan Nuñez ( Ernestina); Godchildren Alberto Garcia, Mariz Feliz Chavez, and Amelia Quintana; numerous nieces and nephews; and many close friends.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, beloved brother David Baca, nephew Abraham Nuñez, sister-in-law Rita Nuñez, brothers-in-law Melecio and Tony Nuñez, and many others.
Services will be held at Nuestra Señora De Los Dolores in Manzano. A rosary will be recited on Friday, December 13 at 7 pm, preceded by a viewing and visitation at 6:00 pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated with Father Jose Lucero on Saturday, December 14 at 10 am, preceded by a viewing and visitation at 9 am. Burial will follow at Nuestra Señora Del Los Dolores Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jose Nuñez, Santiago Nuñez, Patrick Padilla, Oscar Madrid, Louis Gonzales, Luke Lopez, Adrian Lopez, and Aydan Nuñez-Madrid. Honorary Pallbearers are Estevan Nuñez, Alberto Garcia, Chris Bass, Issiah Lopez, and Gabriel Nuñez
Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, where an online guest register is available at www.noblin.com