AMALIA (MOLLY) CONTRERAS
MAY 4, 1925 - MARCH 13, 2017

Amalia (Molly) Contreras, beloved mom, grandma, friend and devoted wife passed on peacefully into the arms of our Lord Jesus on March 13, 2017, at home after a brief illness. Born in El Rito, NM, she is preceded in death by parents Fabian and Teodorita Garcia of El Rito, husband of 58 years Casimiro (Casey) Contreras, siblings Elvira Peña, Lola Valdez, Margaret Martinez, Mary Varoz, Dennis Garcia, Fabian Garcia Jr. and Horacio Garcia.
She is survived by son Andrew Contreras and wife Lezlie of Santa Fe, daughter Irma Kelly of Santa Fe, granddaughter Glory Sasser and husband Jarrett of Pecos, NM, granddaughter Andrea Mueller and husband Mike of Santa Fe, grandsons Miguel Kelly of Santa Fe, Gabriel and Xavier Contreras of Santa Fe, great grandsons Teo and Rex Sasser, and Sawyer Mueller, great granddaughters Miquela Kelly, Jaiden Sasser, and Leia Kelly.
Molly graduated from Loretto Academy in 1944, and married Casey, July 5, 1949.
Well known in town for her many years in the grocery business, Molly began her career with Safeway stores (1942-45), El Llano Mercantile in El Rito, NM (1945-49), Your Food Store (1955-56), and finally retired from Piggly Wiggly (1956-1979). She also served as an election poll clerk in Santa Fe for numerous state, federal and local elections for many years. With her husband Casey, she assisted at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church serving in the church soup kitchen, and with financial accounting.
Recreationally, Molly was an avid poker player, who also loved dancing, vacation travel, camping, boating, picnicking, outings to pick piñon, hosting gatherings and parties for friends and loved ones (especially if poker included), and of course, never missed such functions, particularly if she could participate in the hosting or the clean-up (always last to leave the scene).
She was a supremely sweet, fun-loving soul, always ready to celebrate life, her faith, her family and friends. Our mom's kind, caring and self-sacrificial nature earned her great admiration and affection far and wide. She will be very sorely missed.
Viewing vigil will be held at Berardinelli Funeral Home, 5:00 PM, Tuesday, March 21, 2017, rosary immediately following at 6:00 PM. Funeral mass will be celebrated by Father Larry Brito at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at St. Anne Catholic Church, followed promptly by interment at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 12:45 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Interfaith Community Shelter, Santa Fe, NM, or St. Anne Catholic Church, Santa Fe parish.
Pallbearers include Miguel Kelly, Gabriel Contreras, Xavier Contreras, Jarrett Sasser, Mike Mueller, Peter Peña, and (honoraries) Jonathan Martinez and Paco Arguello.

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