Obituary for
Adela Quintana
Adela Mascarenas Quintana died at her home in Ignacio on June 14, 2016. Adela was the oldest of 5 children born August 26, 1923 in Rosa, New Mexico, to Celestino and Magdalena Mascarenas. In 1941 she married Epimenio Quintana. The two families were leaders of the once-thriving Rosa, New Mexico, community - along with other original settlers of that area where they resided from the 1770's until 1959 when the Navajo Dam was built.
Adela's children considered their mom to be "tough as nails" even when her 92 year-old body became frail. In Rosa, New Mexico, during her childhood and in her adult life, Adela overcame economic barriers and many other hardships of the U.S. Depression, of World War II and of the Vietnam War.
The Depression of the 1930's contributed to the loss of livestock and wealth of most of the families in Rosa. World War II and the Vietnam Wars took an emotional toll. The Quintana family lost a son, Epimenio Junior, who died in 1973 after having served two years in Vietnam.
Through it all, Adela and her husband, Epimenio, were pillars of strength for their children, her parents, and others in Rosa. In Ignacio, where the family lived the past 53 years, Adela and other "Carmelitas" worked diligently to raise money for the construction of the new Catholic Church in the 1980's.
Adela is survived by 9 children: Nattie (Dave) Silva; Esther (Chuck) Grant; Balty (Neoma) Quintana; Dr. Elaine (Fred) Quintana; Bernard Quintana; Fred (Andrea) Quintana; Larry (JoAnne) Quintana; Selina (Tony) Gallero; and Jeanette (Matt) deKay. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Viola Lucero, and two sisters-in-law, Eloisa Mascarenas and Irene Mascarenas. Adela was preceded in death by her spouse, Epimenio, and by one son, Epimenio, Jr.
A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2016, in Ignacio. Burial will be in the Rosa/Arboles cemetery.