Genovieve Muniz Maestas, 95, a lifelong resident of the San Luis Valley died in Phoenix, Arizona on October 5, 2018 after a brief illness.

She was born the sixth child of Augustin and Angelita Gonzales Muniz on May 4, 1923. She spent her childhood with her siblings on her father’s sheep ranch in Capulin where she was known for her fondness for orphan lambs, which she tenderly cared for and raised.

She married Adrian J. Maestas in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1949 and together they raised their three children, Joe Adam (Elizabeth), Geri (Russell Sutch) and Lily (David Bearman) in Monte Vista where Adrian was a barber. She worked part time for St. Joseph’s parish while her children were young and then began a full time career in health care at the Monte Vista Hospital, first as a nurse’s aide and then as a lab technician until her retirement. Her lifelong love of medicine was evident in the care she gave her patients and the respect she received not only from her colleagues but also from the physicians and administrators she worked with. She spent her retirement tending to her outstanding garden, the fruits of which she shared with friends and family. She remained an active member of St. Joseph’s parish in Monte Vista until she relocated to California three years ago.

She is survived by her three children and four grandchildren, Adriana (Michael Rodriguez) and Victorio Maestas and Samantha and Benjamin Bearman all of California and her beloved dog, Sunny.

Vigil service and rosary will take place October 18 at 7:00 pm. Funeral mass will be on October 19 at St. Joseph’s Church in Monte Vista Colorado. Burial will be in the Capulin Cemetary followed by dinner at Our Lady of the Valley church hall in La Jara.