Mary Sanchez Bustamante, 86, was called home to be with the Lord peacefully on Saturday, December 24th, 2022, in Gilbert, Arizona. She was born on September 15, 1936, to Frances Moreno Sanchez and Antonio Sanchez in Ajo, Arizona. She was raised by her stepfather Pete Monyer Sr. and mother Frances Monyer. She was the second oldest of five siblings. Mary graduated from Ajo High School in 1955, and on August 27, 1956, she married her long-time sweetheart, Benny Bustamante. They were married for 62 years until Benny’s passing in March 2018. Born and raised in Ajo, Mary and her husband raised four devoted children, Diana, Cathy, Bernie and Robert. In 1985, following the closing of the Phelps Dodge Ajo Copper Mine, they relocated to Chandler, Arizona to live closer to their children and grandchildren.
Although a small-town girl at heart, Mary adjusted to a life very different from that she knew in Ajo, but she nonetheless continued to be a dedicated and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother. She was very proud of her children and embraced her moments with them, always being their constant cheerleader and supporter. Her children are who they are because of her. She especially loved her role as Nana and made the best Christmas sugar cookies, which the family devoured and talk about every year, not to mention her fabulous tamales! Mary was always available to help with her grandchildren when asked. Mary was a true homemaker who loved her home; she gardened, sewed, cooked, and kept a very neat home. She did not ask or require anything out of the ordinary. Psalm 23, a longtime favorite of hers, was displayed in her home everywhere she lived. It was a peaceful Psalm she adored, and it was chosen and prayed over her by the Hospice of the Valley Chaplin in her final hours. It was very appropriate.
Mary was a reserved and well-mannered beautiful spiritual woman; she was comfortable with who she was, and she knew her likes and dislikes. Loyal, strong, and steadfast, humble, sensitive, compassionate, considerate, and thoughtful, practical and creative are just a few descriptions of Mary.
Mary is predeceased by her husband Benny, and her sister Betty Canez. She is survived by three siblings, her children, and their spouses, nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and other extended family. Mary was a loving and devoted mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, and she will be missed here on earth but will be forever in the hearts of her loved ones. Mary is rejoicing that she is now reunited with her Father in Heaven and made whole again. Mary and Benny joyfully danced together on Christmas Eve among the angels.
Family and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life service to be held on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 1730 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa, AZ. A graveside blessing will be held at the Ajo Cemetery on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Organization and Hospice of the Valley.
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