Mary Frances Aragon was born on October 11, 1940 in Mora, New Mexico. She passed away on October 17, 2024 at the age of 84. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jose (Joe) and Ynez (Agnes) Martinez, and brothers, Gene and Joseph.

Mary Frances is survived by her husband Juan Aragon; children, Luz Aragon (Mark Winter, deceased), Juan Aragon Jr. (Dana) and Joseph Aragon (Rebecca); grandchildren, Justin Aragon, Jordan Aragon, Lucia Gregorakis (Ed), Amadeo Aragon, Joseph Aragon Jr, Jacob Aragon, and Joshua Aragon; great grandchildren, Jayden Reel Aragon, James Fang, and Kennedy Aragon; sister Cecille Martinez Wechsler (Jim); brothers, John Martinez (Andrea) and Robert Martinez (Betsy); nieces and nephews, Christina Velasquez (Toby), Nasha Torres (Raul), John David Martinez, Amelia Martinez, Nina Martinez, Ana Martinez (Christian and son Daniel), Daniel Martinez (Danny), Joseph and Lisa Martinez. Mary Frances also had numerous cousins throughout the Las Vegas and Española area.

As a married couple, Mary Frances and Juan visited most states within the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, China, Philippines and many Caribbean Islands. Juan and Mary Frances celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 13, 2024.

During Mary Frances' tenure at Taos High School she taught History, Social Studies and Geography. Years later she would become a high school guidance counselor. As a senior guidance counselor, she started a local scholarship program raising over $50,000.00 the first year. Each year, the program grew. On Class Night, her mission was to make sure that every senior who applied for a scholarship received one. If there was a senior who applied for a scholarship and had not received a scholarship, she would have her husband write a personal check to present a scholarship to that senior. She knew how important it was for each senior to receive recognition on Class Night, as well as for the parents to be proud of their child. Through her guidance she helped many seniors get accepted to colleges and universities throughout the United States. During her tenure with the Taos Municipal Schools, she sponsored and provided financial support to numerous student activities such as band, cheerleaders, athletics, speech and debate and class projects.

Mary Frances devoted long hours to community service. She had interactions with U.S. Senator Pete Dominici, U.S. Senator Harrison Schmit, U.S. Representative Manuel Lujan and Governor Jerry Apodaca. She did TV Ads for Senator Dominici, hosted socials for the New Mexico Highlands Board of Regents, and hosted a couple of Matanzas for the staff of the New Mexico Department of Public School Finance. She was a member of the New Mexico Education Standards Commission, in which she chaired education evaluation committees evaluating high school education programs in New Mexico.

Upon her retirement from the Taos Municipal Schools, in 1995 she accepted a position as school counselor at Northland Community College in Show Low, Arizona. In this position she provided counseling services to Alchesay High School and Cibecue Community School on the Fort Apache Reservation. In 1996 she accepted a position as a Counselor/High School Principal at Cibecue Community School. In 1999 she suspended her employment for 5 years to take care of her ailing mother.

After Mary Frances' mother passed, she returned to Show Low, Arizona working as a social worker with a hospice company, San Tan Behavior Health Services, and Apache Behavior Health Services in Whiteriver on the Fort Apache Reservation. In 2017 she retired and moved with her husband to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Mary Frances was a giver beyond measure. She and her husband Juan acquired 13 rental housing properties in the Show Low area. She insisted that the rental fee was low and affordable. She was not interested in making money off of people. If someone was in need she would help. While working on the reservation she helped people by buying fire wood for them in the winter, propane, and helped with travel expenses so that family members could visit sick relatives living off the reservation. She had a friend in Cibecue who wanted to go to Lourdes France so she made it possible by taking her to Lourdes. Upon their return the friend spoke during mass about her experience at the Shrine. Her enthusiasm supported the building of a grotto built on the grounds of the St. Catherine Church.

Mary Frances was a lifelong Catholic. She was a member of St. Gertrude Parish in Mora, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Taos, St. Anthony Parish in Questa, San Francisco de Assisi Parish in Ranchos de Taos, St. Rita Parish in Show Low, Arizona and St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Albuquerque. She and her husband were Mayordomos at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Taos and St. Anthony Parish in Questa. She taught religion classes at Our Lady of Guadalupe, St Anthony and St. Rita. She was a strong supporter of the Annual Pilgrimage for Vocations when Father Mike was the Parish Priest in Questa. When Father Mike was sick with cancer, she told him that she would take care of him during the summer. She moved to Albuquerque to take care of him until his death.

It is said that there is a last time for everything. As Mary Frances was coming to the end of her life journey, she told her husband that she had given it her best shot. During her final days of hospice, she was at peace.

A rosary will be recited on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm at St. Gertrude Church in Mora, NM with a Mass of Christian burial to be held on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 10:00 am at St. Gertrude as well. Interment will follow at the Martinez Family Cemetery in Las Aguitas, NM.

Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Ave., Las Vegas, NM 87701, 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.

Floral arrangements are being provided by Pam's Flowers, 219 Plaza, Las Vegas, NM 87701. WEBSITE: PAMSFLOWERSHOP.COM. Email: PAMSFLOWERSHOP@HOTMAIL.COM.

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