Carmen Mary Quintana

Carmen Mary Quintana, a lifelong resident of Santa Fe, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, at the age of 89. Born at St. Vincent’s Hospital in 1936, Carmen’s life was deeply rooted in the culture and history of Santa Fe.

Carmen attended Guadalupe Elementary, Loretto Catholic and Santa Fe High School. Her professional life was as dynamic and multifaceted as the city she loved, especially during the 1950s, when she worked as a paralegal for Judge Harry Long Bigbee, served as a hostess for the U.S. Forest Service, and also helped promote the Santa Fe Ski Basin. A true pioneer in local business, Carmen founded a secretarial service in Santa Fe on Burro Alley in 1969—an enterprise that featured the city’s very first Xerox machine outside of the State Capitol.

She met Carl Sverre, a ski instructor from Norway, at the Santa Fe Ski Basin, and they were married in the summer of 1957. Carl was drafted into the US Army one month after their marriage and the pair left for Baudhoffen, Germany, where Carl was stationed. The pair lived in Lampertheim when they welcomed their first child, Carl Jr. They returned to New Mexico in 1959 and welcomed two more children, Liv in 1960, and Erik in 1963.

Carmen later became a restaurateur on Canyon Road and owned several shops that contributed to Santa Fe’s vibrant cultural scene. She also lovingly renovated and remodeled historic homes on the East Side of Santa Fe, preserving their charm while breathing new life into them.

Carmen’s deep love for New Mexican heritage was evident throughout her life. She supported and encouraged her sister's preservation of the Guadalupe Church, and later became involved in land grant preservation as a founder of an organization called La Herencia. Her commitment to honoring and protecting local history left an indelible mark on her community.

She will be remembered not only for her accomplishments but also for her warmth, compassion, wit, and humor—qualities that endeared her to all who knew her.

Carmen is survived by her daughter Liv Pierce and son-in-law Crawford Pierce; grandchildren Mia and Nikken Cullman, Lars Sverre, Sawyer Harrell Sverre, and Max Pierce; siblings Maria Barton, Henrietta Quintana, and Pete Quintana; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sons Carl Sverre Jr. and Erik Sverre; ex-husband Carl Sverre Sr.; and sisters Estella Parraz, Dolores Myers, and Conchita Romero.

A memorial will be held in Santa Fe to honor Carmen’s remarkable life at the Santuario de Guadalupe on Agua Fria Street on May 1st at 11:00 AM.

May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her and inspiration to those who continue her legacy of dedication to family, heritage, and community