Rosemary Montoya

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Rosemary Ann Montoya, who peacefully departed this world on Saturday, August 16th, 2025, at the age of 76. Born on April 6th, 1949, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Rosemary was the second eldest child of five, daughter of Theodore and Olivia Padilla. Rosemary Montoya was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, cooking, and spending lots of time with her family. As a child Rosemary helped take care of her younger siblings and loved spending time with her father, watching him cut hair as a barber and build furniture. She learned to embroider at a young age and in high school she discovered her love of sewing. She met her husband, Avenicio, at age nine-teen. Rosemary and Avenicio were married in May of 1970 and gave birth to their first-born child later that year.

Rosemary spent her life raising her family, from raising her children to helping raise grandchildren, and providing a home filled with love, comfort, and delicious food. Throughout her life, Rosemary had a few jobs. While her full-time job was raising her children and running the house, she oftentimes worked as a seamstress, creating beautiful clothing, stuffed animals, and quilts. Her passion was sewing. When she wasn’t cooking or taking care of her family, you could find Rosemary working on her many sewing projects, which ranged from clothing, to quilts, to embroidery and everything in between. She often made clothing for her daughters and granddaughter, including wedding dresses for both of her daughters and she quilted many blankets for family and loved ones.

In her 40s, Rosemary fought cancer and won and continued to be the nucleus of her family. She was homebase and her home was the backdrop for all the holidays and celebrations. Rosemary always made the most delicious food, and she always made enough food to feed an army. At Thanksgiving, everyone who came over went home with a home-made pumpkin pie and at Christmas, everyone took home a bag of Biscochitos. Rosemary was a devoted mother and wife and dedicated her life to her family, always offering love, support, and a warm smile. She will be remembered by her many dear family members and friends as an amazingly generous woman who was a talented seamstress and loved her family dearly.

Rosemary Ann Montoya is survived by her loving husband, Avenicio Montoya, children, Andrea Sanchez (Ruben), Deborah Gonzales (Vicente), and Lee Montoya (Renee) and grandchildren, Crystal Reecer (Kyle), Stephen M. Sanchez, Damion Montoya (Andrea), Steven Sanchez, and six great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brother, Theodore Padilla (Jenny), and Cecilia Maestas (Jerry). Rosemary is predeceased by her father, Theodoro Padilla, mother, Olivia Padilla, brother Michael Padilla, and sister, Lillian Picard.

A Rosary will be held on Tuesday, September 16th at 6pm and a Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 17th at 10am. Both will be held at the Church of the Ascension, 2150 Raymac Rd SW, reception will follow at the Church of Ascension Reception Hall.