Mary Linda Endlich

It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved wife, loving mother, and devoted grandmother, Mary Linda Butchofsky Endlich, on September 12, 2024. Born on October 28, 1941, in the Lower Valley of El Paso, Texas, she attended Cadwallader School and graduated from Ysleta High School. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso. A proud descendent of 1700’s Spanish settlers of the Paso del Norte region, Mary Linda embraced her bicultural background and was an avid student of genealogy, history, and the El Paso area, sharing her knowledge with her children and grandchildren as they grew.

Her professional life was spent serving her community as a dedicated and admired educator. Retired from the Ysleta Independent School District after decades of service, she had worked as an English teacher, a teacher leader for migrant and (what was then called) compensatory education, a supervisor of reading instruction for emerging bilingual students, a supervisor at Central Office, and finally, an assistant principal at Riverside High School.

Among her many passions, she loved to travel. She visited many areas in Mexico where she never knew a stranger and was always willing to strike up a conversation. Embedded in the family history is a summer visit to San Juan Teotihuacan, where she and her family lived and worked in an orphanage as volunteers to resident teachers. This was a rewarding experience that provided significant spiritual growth and lasting relationships.

Throughout her life, she continued to travel with her beloved husband, Edward, and there were many trips all over, but especially to their cherished Spain. She knew these special gifts and opportunities credited only to the greatness of God’s favor.

Mary Linda was a voracious reader and an avid writer. After twenty long years of research and study guided by her great aunt, Josephine Bryant Moran, she published the book From the River to the Lomas Forever. Aunt Jo was in possession of important family documents from Spanish ancestors, including a land grant bestowed to their ancestor Cristobal de Cordova by King Carlos III of Spain, and the book is work of historical fiction (based on Mary Linda’s ancestors) depicting the life of 1700 settlers in New Spain in the valley of what is now El Paso.

To her cherished husband of 51 years, Edward Endlich, she was a supportive, loyal and loving partner. They spent a lifetime navigating life’s great challenges and celebrating moments of boundless joy. Her greatest delight was being a mother, always supportive and kind and generous. Her love and guidance live on in her talented children who also successfully serve as teachers in public education. A testament to her support for her children is that they are indeed also loving and supporting parents.

She is survived by her best friend and husband Edward A. Endlich, her children Lyn Peticolas and her son Jaime Endlich (Tracie) and her daughter Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez (Zeke). Her grandchildren Graham Ritchey, Sadie Ritchey, Noah Endlich, Riley Endlich, Cristian Gonzalez, Randy Gonzalez and Celina Gonzalez. Great-grandchildren Ripley and Weyland. Her loving cousins, Sally Robinson (Michael), Stanley Green (Maria Esther), Richard Green (Tiggy), John Green (Helen) and Jeffrey Green, Jan and Bob Butchofsky, and Jackie Butler. Her sisters-in-law Charlotte Endlich, Loretta Brymer (Bruce), Margaret Endlich and Priscilla Nellums (Dale). There are many nephews and nieces who survive her, members of both families. She was preceded in death by her parents Richard David Butchofsky and Lucille Carpenter Butchofsky.

Mary Linda always endeavored to be obedient to the decree of Jesus: to love our neighbor as ourselves, and she was loyal to her faith, holding close her love of God.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at the Church of St. Clement of El Paso at 810 North Campbell Street on Saturday September 21, 2024 in the main sanctuary at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery on Alameda. A reception will be held after that at 4:30pm the same day.

In lieu of flowers, she designated contributions go to the Church of St. Clement, El Paso Humane Society and El Paso Zoo, but she did love flowers!!