Patricia Agneda Montaño

Patricia Agneda Salinas Montaño known as “Petra”, 97, passed away on February 15, 2023. She was born in Milagro, NM to Hilario Salinas and Delfinia (Aragon) Salinas on August 14, 1925. She attended schools in Milagro as well as in Santa Fe, NM. Several years after the end of WWII, she met a young veteran, Joe Montano, while working at Clines Corners and they were married in 1948. Shortly after, they moved to Santa Rosa NM, where they worked and raised their family. 

In nearly 100 years of life, Petra outlived countless friends and relatives. Among those who preceded her in death were her parents Hilario and Delfinia Salinas, her husband Joe Montaño, and her siblings, Clemente Salinas, Reynaldo Salinas, Donato Salinas, Rafael Salinas, Vidal McLain, Manuela Lueras, Zoraida Angel, Rufina Apodaca, and Josefina Sisneros. Sons Cristobal (Cris) and Arsenio (Arch) also preceded her death, as well as two beloved grandsons: Eliseo Montaño and Chris Paiz Marquez.

Petra has one surviving sister, Todocia Lucero of Milagro NM. Other survivors include 8 children: Luis Montaño and Martin Montaño of Santa Rosa, Ophelia Tapia (Lawrence) of PDL, Shirley Ulibarri (Gilbert) of Albuquerque, John Montaño (Maryann) of Los Lunas, Virginia Maestas of Colorado/Moriarty, Linda Block (Greg) of Las Cruces, and Mark Montaño (Theresa) of Taos. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren (Joaquin, Reyna, Francesca, Justin, Jolynne, Antonio, Aubrey, Brian, Zac, and Emily), as well as 8 great-grandchildren (Juan, Jada, Everina, Joaquin, Ale, Juliana, Analisa, and Pablo). Numerous other family members and friends also survive her, including her wonderful caretaker, Amada.

As a young woman, Petra worked as a waitress in Vaughn NM during the war years and in Clines Corners after the war. After her marriage to Joe Montaño in the late 40's, she mainly stayed home and raised her children. Later, she worked from home, providing childcare for working families. Once her own children were older, she worked outside the home in food service, cooking for local restaurants as well as the Senior Center.

She was a parishioner of Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church, and was a member of the Fifty Plus Club, the Hijas de Maria, and the Sagrado Corazon organizations.

Petra loved baking when she was still able, and when she could no longer do that, watching Paula Dean and the Barefoot Contessa was enjoyable too. She loved outings to the casinos with her daughters, Ophelia and Linda. She kept busy with word puzzles, embroidery, quilting, her houseplants and anything with a flower on it. She used to chat daily with her friends and/or siblings on the phone, had a great sense of humor, and was always up for a good bawdy joke. 

Petra's pride and joy were her children. Having only an 8th grade education herself, seeing six of her kids with university degrees become teachers was a real feather in her cap. The ones who did not become teachers distinguished themselves in her eyes by being very responsible hard workers.

Visitation for family and friends will be Monday, February 20, 2023, from 1-4PM at Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa, NM and again on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, from 9-10AM at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa.

Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary will be Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6PM at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 10AM at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, with Father Christopher Bernabe and Father Sotero Sena concelebrating the service.Interment will follow at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Santa Rosa, following the Mass.

Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435.  575-472-3369.  To place an online condolence or tribute, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.