Maria Sandoval

Maria Estela Sandoval (95) left peacefully to join her husband Tiofilo on July 15, 2022 surrounded by her two sons Rey (Danny) and John Sandoval, and her caregiver granddaughter.

Maria was born June 7, 1927 to Anastacia Trijillo Trujillo and Pablo Cordova (Both deceased) in Truchas, NM where her final disposition will be, to be home where she was born. She was preceded in death by brothers Raymundo and Carpio Cordova, one sister Anita Martinez, son Rudy Roy Sandoval, and great-granddaughter Mary Mae Bittmann. Maria leaves behind her two sons Reymundo (Rey) (Louella) and John Sandoval (Karen), two grandsons, 3 great-granddaughters, and several nieces and nephews.

Maria was raised by a single mother whose husband was killed by a cousin with a grudge when she was six. She learned at a very early age to work hard and do without any pleasures that required money. She had an elementary education by Presbyterian Missionary teachers at the Smith Memorial Elementary School in Truchas, NM who instilled the hard work needed to survive, boarding middle school at Allison James in Santa Fe, NM, with Maria finishing high school at Menaul High School in Albuquerque, NM. Maria was class president of Menual and finished with the title of Valedictorian which earned her a scholarship to Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM. The family’s yearly income only allowed for one of the girls to attend school while the others worked to save for her next year. Maria and her sister Anita would go to school in Albuquerque a month before school started and stayed a month after school ended to work in the kitchen and clean rooms for the following year to pay for tuition. Her summer vacation was working in the fields to supplement the family income.

Maria married Tiofilo Sandoval on July 7, 1951 and was married for 69 years until Tiofilo passed away at home where he and Maria built their home. Maria worked at Los Alamos Nuclear Lab, Ft Carson, CO and retired in 1984 from the USAF Academy where she was an Administrative Assistant to Cadet Admissions. She enjoyed being with her husband at their cabin in Twin Lakes and house in Truchas, NM. Her husband would call it “Honeymooning” and Maria would smile and was happy to be with Tiofilo (Sandy). Maria was ferocious on the games she played with her family. One sweet lady could turn a switch on a domino game and watch like a hawk to ensure no one was taking advantage of her or the game.

Funeral services will be held on July 23, 2022 at 1:00 pm with a viewing at 11:30 am prior at Faith Presbyterian Church 1529 N Circle, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909. A reception will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Interment will be at home in Truchas, NM.