Helen Sintas, age 99, died on Saturday, December 21, 2024, in Clayton, New Mexico.

Rosary will be recited at 9:30 AM on Saturday, February 22, 2025, and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on following the Rosary, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Clayton. Burial will follow in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.

Helen Sintas was born on November 3, 1925, in Des Moines, New Mexico to Ricardo Sintas and Margarita (Salazar) Sintas. She graduated from Clayton High School in 1941. She was proud of her class ring and never took it off because it was a ruby and was good luck.  Helen was a lifelong resident of Clayton, New Mexico and was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She worked for St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for over 40 years till she was in her 80's.  Helen was preceded in death by 4 sisters, Rachel Quintana, Adeline Mestas, Dolores Ulibarri and Nellie Martinez, and by 5 brothers, Alberto Sintas, Tilio Sintas, Eloy Sintas, Richard Sintas and J.B. Sintas and a nephew James Sintas from Clayton, New Mexico. Anyone that knew Aunt Helen knew the love she had for God and all her family. She prayed several rosaries daily with intentions for her family and friends. She was never married so her nephews and nieces were her children. She received the St. Francis of Assisi Award from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. She was very proud of that award she received. Helen grew up in the small community in Sofia, NM till they moved to Clayton, NM. We loved listening to the stories of her life on the ranch raising sheep and how they played in the caves and everyday life. She loved watching birds out her window at the Clayton Nursing and Rehab. Especially the red headed birds. She could sit there for hours looking at the birds. She loved all her nurses even if she gave them a hard time. They always gave her excellent care. A big thank you to Dr. VanWormer and all the staff at the Clayton Nursing and Rehab for taking such good care of our Auntie Helen. She loved the people who came to see her. Always loved to visit. Thank you, Shelly Carter, for giving her communion on Sundays and Pat Keller for taking great care of her before she went into the nursing home. She loved you both. A very special person that loved Aunt Helen is Janel Mansfield. She loved to visit with her and loved listening to all her stories growing up on the ranch and playing with her siblings or helping her mom with daily chores. Every time Janel came to town she was at the nursing home visiting Auntie Helen. They loved to shop together before Janel moved to Tucumcari. Janel and Aunt Helen had a special bond when they were together. Aunt Helen was a humble & hard-working person. She was the last living sibling and remained faithful to God. She is now reunited with her family. You have earned your wings Aunt Helen. You are a rare gem in Gods Crown. We will always love you!

Survivors include, a sister-in-law, Celina Sintas of Spearman, Texas.

Numerous nieces and nephews: Robert & Debbie Ulibarri & family, Greg & Malaqui Spain & family, Fred & Priscilla Quintana & family, Richard Quintana, Larry Mestas, Rene Mestas, Jason Mestas, Joni Mestas, Vickie Martinez & family, Bert Martinez & family, Randy Martinez & family and the families of Alberto Sintas and Tilio Sintas. Louise Andrade & family, Frankie Sintas & family, Paul Sintas & family, John & Vicky Sintas & family, Teri & Peter Mansfield, Espy & Scott Elliott, Connie & Jason Johnson, Chris & Sylvia Sintas, several great-nephews and great-nieces including, great-nephew James Elliott, Great-Niece Kaitlyn Hyer from Clayton, New Mexico.