Maria Consuelo Manzanares

 Maria (Connie) Manzanares, age 81, a resident of Albuquerque, NM formerly of Tierra Amarilla, NM, passed away on August 18, 2025, at her home peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.

Maria was one of the most loving and outgoing people you could ever meet, always spreading kindness wherever she went. She had a heart of gold, and her warmth drew people in, making everyone feel welcome and cared for. Maria is also well known for her exceptional baking skills, a gift she shares generously with family, friends, and the community. Her biscochitos, perfectly spiced and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, were a tradition everyone looked forward to, while her pastelitos were so good they’ve become legendary in their own right. Whether it was through her kindness or her baking, our mother had a way of making life sweeter for everyone around her.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents Santiago and Reyescitas Romero; first husband, Orlando Perales and second husband Fermin Manaznares; sisters, Higinia Martinez (Johnny), Erma Lopez (Isaias), Clory Rodela (Tito), Carmen Archuleta; brothers, Gilberto Romero (Onda) and Milton Romero.

Maria is survived by her three kids, James (Orlando) Perales, Jacqueline (Pauline) Romero-Perez (Angel), Simon Carlos Mananzanres (Beatrice) and granddaughter, Gabriella Perez; sister’s Dolores Valdez (Justiniano), Helen Valdez (Ben), Elaine Glantz (Clair) and Lucinda Valdez (Danny), Maria’s nephew she considered as a brother, Johnny Martinez Jr (Alicia). Sister-in-laws, Tina Romero and Perfecta Salazar and brother-in-law, Belarmino Archuleta and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

The Catholic Services will be held on August 27, 2025, at Saint Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church, located at 5901 St. Josephs Dr NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 and Santa Fe National Cemetery located at 501 N. Guadalupe St. Santa Fe, NM 87501.

 7:30am - Public Viewing

8:00am – Rosary

8:30am – Eulogy

9:00am – Catholic Mass

1:00pm – Funeral Services @ Santa Fe National Cemetery

Pallbearers - Milton Archuleta, Carlos Rodriguez, Benjamin Valdez, Matias Martinez, Jaime Oivas and Gerald Valdez.

Honorary Pallbearers – Maria’s Goddaughters, Vivian Slagoske, Vanessa Martinez and Merlinda Valdez