d. March 4, 2024

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Mercedes Maes Jaramillo, on March 4, 2024, following a brief illness. Our mother passed peacefully surrounded by her family at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe. She was born on February 7, 1926, in Valdez, New Mexico, to Max and Magdalena (Nene) Maes. She spent her childhood there and in Black Lake, New Mexico. As a teenager she moved with her aunt and cousin, Delfina Maes Martinez, to Cheyenne, Wyoming to work. In 1946, having returned to New Mexico, she met the love of her life, Hernando Jaramillo of Questa, at a dance in Taos. They were soon married and had a family of eight children they raised in Questa, which became her lifelong home. She instilled the importance of church and faith to her children, as well as the importance of education. Her children have fond memories of her always singing: she had a beautiful voice and loved singing her favorite song “Que Sera, Sera.” Our mom loved having her family around, and for her children and grandchildren “Grandma J’s” will always be home. She always loved those big Christmas Eves when her house would be packed and full of love. Our mother had a great love for all her nephews and nieces as well.

Our mom was preceded in death by her husband, Hernando Jaramillo; son Lawrence Jaramillo; grandsons Brad Jaramillo, Cruz Chavez II; great-grandson Andres Chavez; parents Max and Magdalena Maes; sisters Cecilia Rael (Fred), Fedelina Trujillo (Isaac); and brothers Manuel Maes (Lupe) and Amadeo Maes (Mary).
She is survived by children: Marilyn Jaramillo, Elma Chavez (Cruz), Sandra Jaramillo (Ben Bowles), Bob Jaramillo (Martha), Bernie Jaramillo (Geraldine), Edwin Jaramillo (Arla), Vince Jaramillo (Debbie O’Dell) and daughter in-law Evangeline Jaramillo; grandchildren Brent Jaramillo, Emily Jaramillo, Lenora Jaramillo, Nando Chavez (Jacquie), Jovonne O’Connell (Jeremiah), Elizabeth Jaramillo (Kayvon), Luke Macias, and Christopher Jaramillo; step-grandchildren Derek Gallegos (Érica), Amber Martinez (Nick), and Ozelle Segura (Julian). She is also survived by 27 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; by cousins Elias Espinosa (Connie), Stella Casias, and Dolores Pacheco; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Gloria Romero, who served as our mom’s Eucharistic Minister for many years.