Cover photo for Maria Erlinda Sandoval's Obituary
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1952 Maria 2020

Maria Erlinda Sandoval

April 2, 1952 — October 20, 2020

Sandoval, Maria Erlinda

Maria Erlinda (Leyva)  Sandoval, born to David Leyva Sr. and Esperanza (Puga) Leyva in Big Spring, Texas on April 2, 1952, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2020 in the comfort of her home.  Maria was a solid pillar of love, living each day for moments with her family, especially her grandchildren, who were the ultimate lights of her life and fruit of her love.  Maria was full of warmth, joy, and spunk, leaving the spirit of Christ with everyone she encountered.  She had a special gift for deeply touching people’s hearts, imparting comfort and peace.

Maria was an excellent cook and anyone who ate her meals would comment that it was the best version that they had ever eaten. She was renowned for her mashed potatoes – they were pure velvet – smooth in texture, buttery, never lumpy, and always had the perfect amount of salt and pepper.  Her chicken pot pie put Marie Calendar’s to shame; her ground beef tacos were simple yet so satisfying; her tortillas were the perfect thickness, and always tasted the best fresh off the stove with a pat of salted butter.  For any recipe, the secret ingredient was butter – only salted butter would suffice – and to this day salted butter is the only butter that is acceptable by her daughters.  All of us agree that our favorite thing she ever made was empanadas.  These empanadas were the standard to which we held every baked pastry item, and there has never been an empanada or pie sold at any bakery or fancy restaurant in the world (literally, considered we all have travelled much and tasted many pastry items) that could top her empanadas.  She made two kinds: pumpkin and mixed fruit.  The masa was soft, simple, and never too thick or flaky.  The filling was sweetened just right, cooked to perfection, and blended to the perfect texture.  She did not use many spices to flavor her empanada fillings – or any of her food, for that matter – and she always baked them to golden perfection.  Attention was key, and there isn’t a clear memory of her golden empanadas ever being burned or overcooked!  Perhaps the ultimate secret ingredient was her love.  Love was in her food – comfort was in her food – her spirit was in her food.  And likewise, she showed her family she loved them by feeding them well.  She loved to cook, and channeled her love through the kitchen, ensuring all who came left with a full tummy…and heart.  “Con panza llena, corazon contento.” 

Maria always ensured her family was secure, and she did so with her presence.  Her life was dedicated to her daughters – she was able to drive them to school every day, go on every field trip, attend every drill or cheer event, and of course be present for the birth of all her grandchildren!  What a blessing it was for her to witness the gift of life and help raise each of them in a unique way.  She had a knack for knowing exactly what each person needed, and carried it out with both her words and her being.  Any time Catherine was overhwlemed and struggling with one of the kids, she would say “She needs grammy!” or “He needs grammy!”  Grammy brought comfort to everyone, any age, any time, any circumstance.  She was an amazing example of how to handle the trials and tribulations of life with endless hope, tangible peace, and ultimate grace. 

She is survived by: her husband, David Sandoval, her two daughters, Christine Sandoval and Catherine Block, son-in-law Phillip Block, and their six children – Nico, Xyliana, Ava, Bella, Sophia and Gia Block, her brothers (and their spouses) David Leyva Jr. (Mary); Moses Leyva (Mary Frances), Ricardo Leyva (Jeanine) and Adrian Leyva (Shirley) along with many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Due to Covid restrictions services will be held at a limited capacity of 65 for the: Visitation, Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm with a Rosary at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home, and for the Funeral Service Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Daniel’s Family Funeral and Cremation, 3113 Carlisle Blvd, Albuquerque, NM, followed by Internment at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

 
Zoom Rosary for Maria Sandoval 
Time: Oct 28, 2020 04:00 PM MST
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84824324026?pwd=TkUyNDhCUk5UelRLWU8vSTRPZGw1Zz09
 
Meeting ID: 848 2432 4026
Passcode: 779735
 
Zoom Meeting Funeral Service for Maria Sandoval 
 
Time: Oct 29, 2020 10:00 AM MST
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5039368284?pwd=anBSS3NFSnlMMS9RNDRST2JsOEVsdz09
 
Meeting ID: 503 936 8284
Passcode: 540530
 
If you have any trouble connecting please contact Leticia Leyva at (505) 814-4732
 
Daniels Family Funeral Services
3113 Carlisle Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-884-1188
 
 
 
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Maria Erlinda Sandoval, please visit our flower store.

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