Patricia Pauline Sanchez Abeyta, passed away on Thanksgiving Day (11/23/2023) as the sun was setting.  She will always be remembered for her generosity to others and her solid Catholic faith in Jesus Christ.

Pauline was born in the family home in Jarales, New Mexico on June 26, 1938. She enjoyed saying that she only cost $5 (the going rate for a midwife at the time). She grew up in Jarales with her large family. At a dance, she met the future love of her life, Ruben T. Abeyta.

After high school, Pauline & Ruben were married on June 14, 1958. They moved to Albuquerque where Pauline worked at a radio station while Ruben attended University of New Mexico.  They had their first son shortly before moving to Santa Rosa and lived there one year.  The couple then moved to Belen, where the next three children were born.  In 1964, they moved to Las Cruces and raised their children, adding her fifth child along the way.

Her generosity was well known as she spent 37 years volunteering at the Gospel Rescue Mission Clothing Room. She was supportive in giving to the church with attention to building the vocations.

She was preceded in death by her dear husband, Ruben T. Abeyta; two of her sons, Ronald and Leonard Abeyta; her granddaughter, Justine Frances Naylor; four of her siblings; Eloisa, Dolores, Johnny, and Jerry. She has been looking forward to the celebration in heaven with Jesus.  She is happy to be home!

Pauline is survived by her brother, Sonny Sanchez, and two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Sanchez, and Lucy Sanchez; her children, Bernadine Naylor (Jody) of Las Cruces, NM; Leon Abeyta (Jacqueline) of Socorro, NM; and Lita Abeyta of Albuquerque, NM. Her grandchildren include Jennifer Petracca (Brian), Matthew Carrillo (Jessica), Jacob Abeyta (Alexanderia), Isaac Carrillo, Roberta Abeyta (Bishop), Timothy Abeyta (Nicole), and Ruben James Abeyta. Her great grandchildren include Savannah, Xavier, Isabella, Naomi, Serafina, Devin, Alias, Liam, Mila.

Her generous heart, smile to the simple things in life, and the love she showed towards her family will be sorely missed.

The family would like to give a special Thank You to Lorraine, Jessica, Juanita, Michael and ALL the amazing staff at Mesilla Valley Hospice.

A visitation will be held starting at 9am, Monday, December 18, 2023, at Our Lady of Purification, 5525 Cristo Rey Street, Dona Ana, NM. A Prayer Vigil will begin at 10am with a Funeral Mass to follow. Pauline will be laid to rest at Dona Ana Cemetery.