Benita Santistevan Martinez

Benita Santistevan Martinez 96 a resident of La Cordillera passed away surrounded by her family on December 31, 2022. She was born on April 14, 1926 to Carmelita Vigil Santistevan.

On December 18, 1943, she married Levi Martinez at St Francis Church. They were blessed with four children: Rubina Martinez Quinto, Levi Benito Martinez Jr (+), Diana Martinez Mestas, and Carmelita Martinez.

Benita was born in La Cordillera in Ranchos de Taos, NM. She is preceded in death by her mother, Carmelita Vigil Santistevan, infant daughter, Angel, Husband, Levi Martinez Sr, Son, Levi Benito Martinez Jr, Grandson, Christopher D. Romero, Brother Santiago Santistevan, Sister in Law, Nora Valerio Santistevan, Nephew, Robert “Bobby” Santistevan, Great Nephew, Christopher Santistevan, Niece, Marianne Santistevan, Son in Law, Ben Mestas and close cousins Antonio (Tony) and Agapita Santistevan.

She is survived by daughter Rubina Martinez Quinto, Diana Mestas, Carmelita Martinez. Grand children Levi Ruben Quinto (Michelle), Rhondalee Quinto, Leroy Benito Lopez (Jamie), Antonia Lopez Ortiz, Great Grandsons Xzavier Quinto, Elijah Gibson-Quinto, Great Granddaughter Kendra Gibson, Great Granddaughter, Alicia Adame (Arturo), Great-Great Grandaughter Noemi Adame, Great-Great Grandson Samuel Adame; niece Shirley Santistevan Geller (Jeff), nephew Larry Santistevan (Marianne+), Jane Ortiz, Lisa Ortiz, Sue Ortiz, Artie Ortiz, who she helped raise, of which she considered her own; Godchild Flora Trujillo, who visited frequently and many other nieces, nephews and cousins from Denver, Tooele, Salt Lake and California.

She was a stay-at-home Mom until the youngest started school while raising her children. She worked at El Monte Lodge in Taos, NM. At El Monte Lodge she started as a room maid, learned to run the office and became Office Manager. There she met many people from all the different owners, coworkers, and tourists from the country. Many of which kept in touch and reemphasized their appreciation on the accommodations and support she had provided during their stay in Taos.

When she retired, she focused on her flowers, lawn, cooking, sewing, embroidering, making chicos in the horno, but most of all, on her family, of which she worked so hard to keep together.

She devoted her faith in Catholicism with a life devotion to Santo Nino de Atocha and San Isidro, Saint of La Capilla in La Cordillera. She hosted many novenas and served as Mayordoma.

The Family knew her as “Super Woman,” surviving many life-changing events (immediate family deaths, cancer survivor, complex surgeries) …. And she always said God had gotten her through it all!

Rosary will be recited on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 9:00am, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00am, at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church.  Burial will follow at the San Francisco de Asis Cemetery, in Ranchos de Taos.

The family of Benita Santistevan Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019