Mary Peña Jaramillo

Mary Peña Jaramillo, 83, passed away Sunday, September 9, 2018 at her home in Phoenix. She was born May 31, 1935 in St. Johns, the daughter of Armado Peña and Patricia Baca Peña. She was the youngest of 8 children.

Mary went to school in St. Johns and graduated high school in 1953. This is where she met the love of her life, Ernest Jaramillo. Ernest and Mary dated in high school until Ernest left for the service. While he was away Mary began working as a nurse at the St. Johns hospital and did this for five years. Ernest returned in March of 1956 and by June they were married. They made their home in St. Johns where they had their first son Ernie and their only daughter Della and Simon.

In 1966 they moved to Phoenix for work and to settle the family. A few years later Mary’s baby boy, Leo came along. Mary was a homemaker and stayed home to raise her family. When her baby Leo started school Mary went to work as a baker for Balsz Elementary School. Teachers and students would line up for her famous cinnamon rolls. After 15 years Mary retired as a baker but continued her love for baking and shared her gift with the family. Some of her family favorites are sweet rice, homemade cakes, pistachio pudding and fresh homemade tortillas. A staple you would always find in her kitchen was fresh beans and chili. No matter who came to her home to visit you would leave with a full stomach.

Mary and Ernest had a true love and they loved spending time with their family. They had a close group of friends that consisted of Tinky and Rita Madrid, Vito and Katie Chavez, Bony and Vita Ramierz and Ernest’s brother, Niche and Gladys Jaramillo. They shared some good times with this group and made lots of memories. Although the immediate circle of friends was small the party was big and visits were great. One of her favorite things to do was visit with friends and loved ones. Oh, and did we mention she loved dancing. Mary loved to dance to Mexican music. She also had a mean jitterbug and had a love for 50’s music. Mary and Ernest loved leading the “Marcha” for weddings and felt it to be an honor to be asked to lead for the happy couple. On Saturday’s you could find her TV tuned into Lawrence Welk on Channel 8. Mary’s other talents were playing the piano and organ.

Together, Mary and Ernest loved their trips to the casino! They also looked forward to the summer months where they would relocate to their summer home in St. Johns. Mary would begin packing up her Phoenix home in April for the trip to St. Johns in May.

Mary was a woman of faith and attended church regularly. Beatrice Chavez is her only surviving sibling and Mary looked forward to their long visits over coffee and sleep overs. She had another love and that was the love for her 7 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren.

Mary had a fondness for vintage tea length dresses, high heels, fancy fur coats, jewelry and beautiful make up. She always loved a great trip to the beauty shop to get her hair “rolled and combed”. Mary loved wearing jewelry specifically her pearls. When reflecting on the symbolization of a pearl it has elegance, grace, and beauty. Mary exemplified all of these aspects and more, she is our true PEARL. Rest in Peace. Wife, Mother, Grandma, Sister and Friend.

The Jaramillo family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of kindness everyone has shown during this difficult time. They would also like to thank you for your prayers, support and many acts of love.