MaryElla Loretta Fernandez

MaryElla Loretta Fernandez (Garcia) was born on May 11, 1943. MaryElla grew up in Espanola, New Mexico. She was the second child born to Elias and Ascension (Sennie) Garcia from upper San Pedro. MaryElla attended Espanola Valley High school where she graduated in 1961. MaryElla was a cheerleader and was named “best” looking alongside her cousin Eddie Rodriguez their senior year. She was an assertive, happy, smart, and very popular student. She continued her studies later in life at the College of Santa Fe from 1983-1985 where she obtained an associate degree in drafting. MaryElla worked for her cousin Eddie at the University of New Mexico (UNM) on a project for the less fortunate to train and help them seek employment. MaryElla was an incredible artist and most recently worked in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the UNM Continuing Education Building as an Art Instructor for fourteen years and at the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute as a Program Coordinator.

MaryElla married her childhood sweetheart the late David Garcia son of Manuel and Mela Garcia from lower San Pedro, which ended in divorce many years later. She had four children with David Garcia and had her fifth son with the late Joe Herrera from Nambe.

MaryElla was an affectionate, dedicated, and hardworking single mother who put the needs of her five children and grandchildren ahead of her own. Mama MaryElla was known for her compassionate nature, giving spirit, sense of humor and endless prayer life. MaryElla became a born-again disciple of Jesus Christ in 1992. MaryElla remained a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and was a part of the Greater Albuquerque Church of Christ family for 32 years. She often referred to God as her father, husband, great physician, her everything! The greatest desire of her heart was for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to love the Lord God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love others. MaryElla was known for her prayer life and deep dependence on God. She most appropriately left to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Christmas morning, taking her final breath to the reading of the 23rd Psalm by her daughters Michelle and Lynnette.

MaryElla brought warmth, joy, and light to everyone she encountered, and her passing will be mourned deeply by everyone who knew and loved her. MaryElla leaves to cherish her memory a loving son, Dennis; daughter, Lynnette (Jeffrey); daughter Michelle (Kevin); son, Joey (Stephanie); grandchildren, Christina, Lorena, Jessica, Manuel; Jason (Kara), David, Brandon (Becca); Natasha, Taylor, Brandon (Esperanza), and Marissa; great-grandchildren, Reyes and Riley; Jason Jr. and Jordan; Sienna, Nadia, Rheo and Valencio; Vanessa; sisters, Thelma (Jimmy), LouElla (Scott), Veronica (Jimmy), LaVerne (Robert); and brother, William (Shawn). MaryElla is preceded in death by her dearly loved son, Michael; daughter-in-law, Oona; grandson, Isaiah; granddaughter, Julianna; brother, Elias Jr.; and sister Christine (Johnny). MaryElla is also preceded in death by her beloved parents Elias and Sennie Garcia.

MaryElla’s Celebration of Life services will be held on February 8th at 11:00 am at Daniel’s Funeral Home, 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE; Albuquerque, NM 87109. Fellowship to follow.