She was born in Peñasco, New Mexico on August 14, 1924 to Selidonio Martinez and Edumenia Sanchez. She married Pete Bargas, Sr. on March 23, 1940 and they had four children. In 1952, they moved their family from Raton, New Mexico to Denver, Colorado. She was a hard worker in the hospitality and construction industries; however, her true joy was sharing her knowledge of the bible with her neighbors and caring for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In the 70’s, Pete Sr. and Mary did missionary work in her hometown of Peñasco, New Mexico and Central New Mexico. In the late 70’s, they settled in Avon, Colorado. They enjoyed the mountain life, working at the mountain resorts together with a few of their grandkids. In 1982, Pete Sr. was diagnosed with cancer and passed away a few months later, in November 1982. Mary continued to live in Avon with her daughter, Patsy and granddaughters Brandy and Maria. They relocated back to Denver in the late 80’s where she continued to take care of her grandchildren and work in hotels with her daughter Patsy and granddaughter Becky. She really enjoyed staying busy working, baking, cooking and studying the bible at weekly meetings at her congregation’s Kingdom Hall. She was known for being an amazing cook and baker. When her friends and family came into her home, they all knew that grandma would have a bowl of green chile, fresh tortillas, and homemade zucchini bread ready for them.
Mary stood steadfast in her faith, even after the loss of her daughter Patsy in 2000. In her later years, she enjoyed the company of her Christian friends and her grandchildren. She continued in the joy of teaching her great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren how to make tamales and sharing her life lessons with them. Mary never remarried in hope to be with her husband Pete Sr. in Paradise. Her daughter Lila took care of her the last 10 years of her life. At the age of 95, she passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 1, 2019 in Grand Junction, Colorado. She is proceeded in death by her parents Selidonio Martinez and Edumenia Sanchez, her husband Pete Bargas Sr., daughter Patsy Bargas-De Luna, grandson Trever Bargas, her son-in-law Carlos Perez, her brothers Margarito, Tony, Louis, and Bobby Martinez and sister Dora Perez, her sister-in-laws Mary Martinez and Eva Romero. She is survived by her daughter Lila Perez, sons Pedro Bargas and his wife Barbara, Larry Bargas and his wife Marsha, her sister Viola and her husband, Vince Arellano, her grandchildren, many great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren, sister-in-laws, Jennie Martinez, Marlyn Martinez, Susie Martinez, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements to be announced.
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