Betty Michael Cordova

Betty Michael Cordova lived 93 wonderful years filled with family, friends, travel, and food. She passed away on March 11th,2026 to be rejoined with her husband Ted and family who preceded her. Betty was born in San Mateo, NM. 

After graduating from high school, she attended NMSU for a brief time before returning to San Mateo to help her parents and work at the family store in Grants. It was there that she met her future husband, Theodore Cordova. They married on October 22nd,1960, and started their family. After several years, they relocated to Las Cruces, where Betty reconnected with extended family. In October 1970 they moved to Espanola, New Mexico and she continued her lifelong endeavor of cooking, feeding, and creating memories with our Cordova and Michael families, Merhege cousins, and new friends. In addition to cooking, she enjoyed working in her garden, preserving her bounty, sewing clothes and gifts, playing cards, and bowling. Betty was known across the land for her Lebanese/New Mexico cuisine, which she shared generously with everyone. 

We will forever hear her exclaiming with joy, “… and they loved it!” Betty developed her love of cooking alongside her mother and 11 siblings. She was the last surviving child of Merhege and Tamame (Darwish) Michael. The lives of the Michael children spanned 116 years. Betty is survived by her three children, Geraldine Johnston (Rick), Anthony Cordova, and Donald Cordova, her six grandchildren, John Michael, Nicholas, Dominick, Abrey, Danielle, and Jonathan, and hundreds of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom she nourished as family. A devout and faithful Catholic her entire life, she constantly lit candles and prayed for anyone in need. Services will be held at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz, NM on April 13th at 11am

(Rosary at 10:15am). Betty will join her husband on April 14th at 10am at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Oak & Anchor Foundation.