Mary Jane Quintana

Mary Jane Quintana left to be with our Lord on Monday, November 10, 2025. She was born on November 28, 1922, in the farming community of San Luis, Colorado to Onofre (Frieda) and Jacobo Martinez. Known by many as "Jane," in her early life, she was a talented dancer who was an accomplished jitter bugger. She had a brief stint as a welder and riveter on the Oakland shipyards during World War II. She spent time training to be a psychiatric nurse before transitioning to Adams State College in Alamosa, CO where she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 1950. She later went on to earn her Master of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico in 1968. Jane was an elementary school teacher for the Albuquerque Public School District and finished her career as a District Reading Coordinator mentoring other teachers in bilingual reading instruction to children.

She was a lifelong learner and travel enthusiast visiting extraordinary places like Machu Picchu, Costa Rica, Alaska, Europe and Mexico. Her most memorable trip was Machu Picchu. Jane was deeply rooted in her Catholic faith crediting her longevity to her relationship with God. She was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. Jane met and married the love of her life, Robert Quintana, in her hometown of San Luis, CO in 1946 before moving to and calling Albuquerque her home. They enjoyed 57 wonderful years together. They welcomed one son, Michael Quintana Sr., and remained lifelong residents of Albuquerque. Jane was fiercely independent and loved by many in her community. She enjoyed good conversations in the company of her family, numerous friends, and wonderful neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Quintana; her grandson, Michael Quintana, Jr.; her son, Michael Quintana, Sr.; her two brothers, Willie Martinez and Marcello Martinez; and her two sisters, Delfina Manzanares and Annabelle Collatz. She is survived by her grandchildren, Ayshea Marchiondo (Pasquinel) of Tracy, CA, and Marc Quintana of Albuquerque; daughter-in-law, Ayla Quintana of Rio Rancho; sister-in-law, Carmen Martinez of Albuquerque; great- grandchildren, Salicio, Francesca, and Santino Marchiondo of Tracy, CA; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A rosary service and funeral mass will take place Wednesday, November 26, 2025, 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 811 Guaymas Pl. NE. She will be laid to rest peacefully next to her husband at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m., followed by a reception at 4:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas.