Mary Ann Contreras Kerns

Mary Ann Contreras Kerns, age 78, died peacefully, on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025, in the presence of family members, at her home in Albuquerque, NM.

Mary Ann was born in Ganado, TX on January 14, 1947, to Jose R. Contreras and Theresa Rocha Contreras.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Archie L. Kerns, son Jason Andrew Kerns, son-in-law Mark Knowlton, sister Mary Delores Webber, sister Mary Jane Chapa, nephew Sidney Ramirez Jr. and niece Mary Ida Ramirez Torres.

Mary Ann is survived by her son Anthony Sean Kerns, daughter Nicole Marie Kerns Nunez and husband Hector; granddaughters- Chloe Elle Kerns, Antonia Marie Kerns, Miranda Ashleigh Kerns; grandsons- Eric Douglas Knowlton and wife Chantelle and Benjamin Matthias Wright; and three great-grandsons.

She is also survived by sister Sabina Tristan of San Antoinio TX; brother Jose Contreras Jr. of Victoria TX; brother Raymond S. Contreras of Shertz TX; sister Stella Briseno of Port Lavaca TX; sister Mary Ellen D'Agostino of Katy TX and brother John M. Contreras of LaPorte TX.

Mary Ann grew up in southern Jackson County Texas, attended schools in Palacios TX and graduated in the class of 1964–1965.

After high school, Mary Ann attended colleges in Houston and San Marcos and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp where she met Archie, a Marine Helicopter Pilot. After they married, she was granted an honorable discharge and then began her nursing career.

She practiced for 30 years and held licenses in Colorado, Arizona, Hawaii, and New Mexico.

Mary Ann served her community though her position at the Acoma Reservation. She was an HIS Case Manager, RN and Lt Nurse Officer.

Mary Ann will be remembered as a loyal and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sibling, relative and friend. She will also be remembered as a knowledgeable, dedicated and caring member of the medical profession.

Mary Ann was a quietly confident and outgoing person, who loved to travel and was always open to experiencing new adventures. She will be missed by her family, siblings, relatives, friends and those whose lives she touched.

Mary Ann will be buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetery- Santa Fe, NM.