Betty Loretta Sandoval

Betty Loretta Rogers Sandoval passed away peacefully Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the age of 89 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was surrounded by her loving family. Betty was predeceased by her husband, José Eloy Sandoval, (married for 70 years) and her eldest son Daniel E. Sandoval. Betty was born in Maxwell, NM, moving permanently to Albuquerque while raising her family.

Betty dedicated her life to her family. In times of limited resources she crocheted and quilted, canned and preserved foods, sewed clothing, and prepared daily meals for her family. When her children matured she reached beyond the confines of domestic life and found employment as a seamstress for a dry cleaning company. Consequently she was empowered to complete her GED diploma and she matriculated to The University of New Mexico. She received  an undergraduate and graduate degree, majoring in Early Childhood Development in Elementary Education. She then dedicated herself to her kindergarten and elementary students at Navajo Elementary School, retiring as a teacher from Albuquerque Public Schools.

Betty loved all things related to farming, and she had a natural green thumb. She loved working on a farm co-owned by her and her son Dan in Estancia, New Mexico. She involved herself in all aspects of family life, whether doing automotive work, house construction, sewing clothes, and cooking. Her love of music was infectious and her tastes ranged from old school country western, to 60s and 70s rock as well as instrumental and classical genres. She also loved the movies and admired Charles Bronson, John Wayne and Charlton Heston.

Her happy laugh, warm smile, stories of her classroom students, and how beloved she was by them, memories of the farming life in Raton and her indefatigable spirit will be sorely missed.

Devoted and dedicated to family, and church she is survived by her children, John W. Sandoval and wife Nancy L. Spencer, Karen L. Sandoval, Sandy L. Floyd and husband Robert. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Stanley Sandoval, Sally Sandoval, Maya Shamsid-Deen (husband Naim), Daniel Floyd (wife Schelleen), Jared Floyd, Alan Floyd, Whitney Floyd and nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service for Betty will be held Thursday, June 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 2:00 p.m.