Memorials

Cirenia C. Montes, 94, went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 20, 2009. She passed away at a local nursing home. Cirenia was born March 25, 1914 to Guadalupe A. and Adela Armijo Contreras in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Both parents preceded her in death. She married Fermin S. Montes on August 22, 1938 in Albuquerque. He preceded her in death on May 10, 1984. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Diana Sanchez and her husband, Rufino, her grandson Robert Montes, Jr., two brothers, G.A. Contreras, Jr. and Joseph Contreras. She is survived by her daughters, Vangie Garcia and her husband, Tony and Becky Nalley and her husband, Richard, both of Roswell, two sons, Robert Montes and his wife, Geraldine, of Ruidoso, NM and Gilbert Montes and his wife, Maria, of Midland, TX. She is also survived by her brother, Bob Contreras and his wife, Jennie, of Albuquerque, 17 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

Cirenia and her husband, Fermin raised their family in the Hondo Valley where he was Superintendent of schools and where together they were the founders of the Hondo Fiesta. She taught New Mexican, Mexican and Spanish dances to the students in the Hondo Schools and choreographed many of these dances herself. She loved playing the piano and dancing and devoted endless hours of her time and energy in preparation for each performance.

Cirenia always said that her first love was the Lord and her Catholic faith. Throughout her life she was involved in the church as choir director, catechist, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Minister to the Sick, Legion of Mary and wherever else she was needed. In October of 1991 Cirenia received the Instrumento de Paz award for her outstanding and dedicated service to the Catholic community in the Diocese of Las Cruces.

Outside of spending time helping her church, Cirenia played the piano for senior citizens in a band at the Roswell JOY Center and also worked as a Spanish/English translator and volunteered as a dance teacher at Missouri Avenue Elementary School. Cirenia was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Xavier Herrera and the wonderful staff at Mission Arch Care Center who cared for her so lovingly.

A rosary will be recited on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 7 pm at Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 2 pm with Father Gino Correa O.F.M. officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 22, 2009 from 12 pm – 8pm at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Danny Chavez, Lawrence Sanchez, Greg Chavez and Richard Nalley and her great-grandsons, Stephen Bautista and Chris Montoya.

Please share your thoughts and memories with the family in the online register book at andersonbethany.com

Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home & Crematory.