Maria Gutierrez

Maria Gutierrez, 91, of Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. She was a lifelong resident of Ojo Caliente who dedicated her life to her family and community.

Maria is preceded in death by her adopted mother, Adelina Lucero. She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Urban Gutierrez, many nieces and nephews, and close friends.

Maria was a loving and dedicated educator who taught with a firm, but loving approach. Maria had humble beginnings and later attended high school at Loretto Academy in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After graduation, she joined a convent in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Upon receiving her teaching degree, she taught in Trinidad, Colorado and later returned to Albuquerque to teach at Saint Therese Catholic School. She worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs schools in Taos and Santa Clara, New Mexico. She later worked at Alcalde Elementary and retired after working at Ojo Caliente Elementary. Throughout the years she received many awards for Outstanding Teacher of the Year. She was respected by many of her colleagues.

Maria was known for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering faith. Her commitment to God and her community was ever present throughout years of catechism she taught in Ojo Caliente at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Her caring nature was shown through the dozens of sopapillas, pumpkin pies and biscochitos she made, with love, for her family and neighbors year-round.

She will always be remembered for her kind, gentle, and loving spirit. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of love and faith will continue to inspire. In honor of Maria’s wishes, there will be a private internment held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.