Natividad Anaya

A beloved mother, grandmother, and matriarch, surrounded by her loving family, was called home by our Lord on March 17, 2025 after faithfully finishing her race. 

Natividad Estrada Anaya, 103, was born on September 8, 1921 in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico. At the age of four she immigrated to the United States with her mother and her siblings, settling in Kansas City, Kansas. Natie attended Riverview School, where she was taken under the wing of a very special teacher, Ms. McConnell, who made sure that Natie and other minority students were treated equally and respectfully at a time when discrimination was rampant. Natie never forgot this special teacher.

After 7th grade, Natie left school to help her mother with running the household and raising her eight younger brothers. She loved spending time with her sisters, Julia and Felisa, especially singing at church and at the local Mexican Fiesta with Felisa. She taught herself to cook and sew, and became fluent in English at a young age.

Natie married Michael Anaya on May 8, 1941, before he shipped off to WWII as a member of the U. S. Navy. They went on to raise their family in Kansas City, Kansas, where she was known as the “tamale lady”, making countless tamales for her brother, David Alvarado’s restaurant, Casa De Tacos, along with making them for church festivals and her friends at Sisters, Servants of Mary, whom she loved dearly. She was also known for her popcorn balls at Halloween, when kids would line up to get them every year. She became a proud American citizen in her 70s.

Natie’s grandkids loved going to her house, where she would always give them a snack, usually homemade tortillas with butter. She loved watching her kids and grandkids play sports and was a big fan of the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas City Royals, almost never missing a Royals game on TV. She enjoyed going on bus trips and spending time in Branson with family. Her family cherishes the embroidered tea towels that she made and gave for gifts at Christmas and other special occasions.

Natie was a lifelong parishioner of St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church until its closing. She rarely missed Mass and when she couldn’t be there in person, she watched Mass on EWTN. She prayed the Rosary, always read her daily devotions, and would say a Novena for her family members when she knew they needed it.

Family was of utmost importance to Natie. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maximillion Harry Estrada and Ignacia Felix Blancarte; her husband, Michael Anaya; her daughter, Frances Anaya; three grandchildren: Stevie Ramirez, Eddy Reyes, and Jennifer Serrano; a son-in-law, Tony Sandoval; her best canine companion, Frito; and all her brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Mary Lou (Richard) Palmerin, Carol Sandoval, Michelle (Joe) Mendoza, Louis (Helen) Anaya, Michael (Debbie Kramer) Anaya, Jr., Sylvia (Ed) Reyes, John (Bridget) Anaya, Max (Mary) Anaya, and Jimmy (Valerie) Anaya; 23 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; and 14 great great grandchildren. She also has many nieces and nephews who will miss their dear “Tia Natie.”

Natie was a tough, strong-willed but loving person. She will be deeply missed forever.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30am on Tuesday, March 25, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shawnee. Visitation will begin at 10:00am with the Rosary at 11:15am. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in her name are suggested to Sisters, Servants of Mary, 800 N. 18th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org