Nancy Montano

Nancy Santa Montaño, nee Sanchez, passed away peacefully early March 7th at the age of 86. She was surrounded by three generations of her loving family. She was a beloved wife, sister, mother, and friend. Nancy was a foundation for her family and an inspiration to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives were graced through knowing her.

Nancy Montaño was born November 1, 1938 in Valencia, New Mexico to Antonio and Nestora Sanchez. She was the second child in the family following her older sister Vangie and preceding her younger sister Annie.

Nancy attended Los Lunas High School and graduated in 1956. She worked as a bank teller in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she met the love of her life, Ed Montaño, through Ed’s brother Gilbert in1958. They were married in 1959. Ed was a pioneer in Computer Science and led the Data Processing division of the State of New Mexico. His career led them to move to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1960. Their son Paul was born in 1960. Chris followed months later. When Paul and Chris were old enough to babysit, two more children followed: John was born in 1967, and Maria, finally the gift of a girl (!), was born in 1970.

Nancy was both a committed mother and homemaker as well as a professional secretary and receptionist. In 1984 her husband, Ed died in a car accident. Though grief stricken, Nancy was committed to her children, raising four happy and successful children to adulthood.

Following Ed’s death, Nancy was active as a grief counselor where she touched many lives affected by sudden loss.

She transitioned to her most lasting professional legacy as the Liaison for the New Mexico State Agency for the Aged. Nancy traveled the state extensively, offering seminars at senior centers where she educated people on the many benefits available to them. Nancy was ‘una de la gente’, ‘one of the people’. Her ease with her peers, her deep knowledge of senior benefits, and her fluency in Spanish made her an ideal person for this job. She was trusted by the many people she met and touched thousands of lives and bettered them. She was loved and respected both professionally and personally.

Nancy was a voracious reader and well read. She loved gardening and her gardens were gorgeous. She loved the Opera and was a longtime volunteer usher at the Santa Fe Opera. Of course, as a New Mexican, mother, and cultural maven, she was a magnificent cook.

Nancy was preceded in death by her father Antonio Sanchez and mother Nestora Sanchez; beloved husband Ed, her sister Evangelina, and her beloved grandson Eli.

Nancy leaves four children: Paul, Chris, John and wife Meredith, Maria and husband Craig; seven grandchildren, Ashira, Jimmy, Jeffrey, and Eli (deceased); Daniel, and Gabriel; Katriona, and Kalantha; and five great-grandchildren, Jordan, Arabella, Lei Lani, Treble, and Azoria.

Nancy is survived by her dear sister Annie Casaus and beloved sister-in-law Judy Montaño.

The family would like to thank Roadrunner Hospice for their loving and professional care of Nancy.

Nancy will be profoundly missed by all. May she rest in peace as she enjoys Las Fiestas de la Cielo, and Mariachi music in heaven with Ed, and all her friends and family who preceded her.

A Rosary will be on March 22nd, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 12500 Carmel Ave. NE, Albuquerque NM 87122. Catholic Funeral Mass to follow at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow mass.