Marie Claire Maurice, 89, of Taos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2026. Marie Claire was born on May 14, 1937 in Canoe Lake, Saskatchewan, to George and Marguerite Maurice. Marie Clair was part of the Canoe Lake Cree First Nations. At a young age Marie Claire was separated from her parents and sent to school in the Canadian Indian residential school system. After leaving the school system, Marie Claire lived an adventurous life, living in Edmonton Alberta, Wilmington Delaware, New York City, and Boulder Colorado before settling in Taos in the early 80’s.

Marie Claire was an accomplished artist in painting and ceramic works, including jewelry, forming and firing her own pottery beads out in the wilds of New Mexico.

She attended college later in life, earning a Bachelor’s degree in sociology and counseling in 2008 at the age of 71! She

Marie Claire was preceded in death by her husband Rolando “Chuy” Fernandez with whom she spent many years of companionship and adventure in Taos. She is survived by three children, Jeff, Holly, and Michael, and was preceded in death by her youngest daughter Nicole. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Marty, Nevada, Janie, Francesca, Kobe, Eben, Cheyney, Windsor and Holden.

A service will be held in memory of Marie Claire on Friday, July 17th at St. James Episcopal Church in Taos.