Memorial services for Mary Apodaca, 88, of Portales, will be at 11:00 AM, Mon., April 10, 2017 in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Darryl Tenefos officiating. Burial of her cremated remains will be in the Portales Cemetery at the side of her husband. All of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the caring staff of the Retirement Ranch for their tender care.
Mary Apodaca was born Mar. 21, 1929 in Encinio, NM to the home of Antonia (Gutierrez) and Salomon Ortega and died early on the morning of April 5, 2017 in Clovis. Mary grew up in Encino, and was reared by her grandparents, Seferina and Enriques Gutierrez. On Aug. 4, 1947, in Vaughn, NM she was married to A. D. Apodaca. In the early 1950’s they moved to Portales where they reared their family of five. Mary was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church, but due to her health, had been unable to attend mass for some time.
Mary enjoyed working in her garden and yard, and was very proud of the fact that her yard was chosen as Yard of the Month several years ago. She was a regular worker in the local and national elections, and also volunteered at the Portales Community Center where she found satisfaction in taking care of others. Mary was a very caring person, with a kind and loving heart that was evident throughout her life.
She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Tony and Debbie Apodaca of Albuquerque and Henry and Dora Apodaca of Portales; two daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Fred Cordova and Maryann and Robert Garcia all of Portales; 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Chris Ortega and Orlando Ortega and a sister, Mercedes Salas all of Portales. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and her parents, three brothers, Carlos, Freddy and Salomon Ortega, Jr., a son, Pete Apodaca who died in 2016, and by her husband, A. D. Apodaca who died in Nov. of 1997 after more than 50 years of marriage.
