Mary Lou Arguelles Anderson January 16, 1949- April 18, 2025

Mary Lou Arguelles Anderson January 16, 1949- April 18, 2025 Mary Lou Arguelles Anderson passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025, at the age of 76, surrounded by her loving family at her residence at The Auberge in Cedar Park, Texas. She bravely battled Alzheimer's disease for five years. Mary Lou is survived by her children, Richard and Jaime; her daughter-in-law Wendy and son-in-law Dan; her cherished grandchildren, Sebastian, Brooke, Isabella, and Drew; and her beloved siblings, Fernando and Patricia. Born Maria Luisa Arguelles on January 16, 1949, in El Paso, Texas, to Fernando and Maria Luisa Arguelles. Mary Lou graduated from St. Pius High School in 1967. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University New Mexico in 1971. She married her college sweetheart James Anderson on January 29, 1972. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in Counseling and Educational Psychology in 1975, an Educational Specialist degree in Administration in 1981 from New Mexico state University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of New Mexico in 1999. Mary Lou devoted her life to education, touching countless lives as a teacher, counselor, administrator, and mentor. Her distinguished career included roles as: Teacher at Lynn Junior High School, Counselor at Las Cruces High School, Alternative Program Director at Highland High School, Teacher at Manzano High School, Guidance and Counseling Coordinator for Albuquerque Public Schools, Assistant Principal at Washington Middle School, and Principal at Cleveland Middle School. As Principal of Cleveland Middle School, Mary Lou led the school to receive numerous honors, including: The Milken National Educator Award, National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, New Mexico Middle School of the Year, New Mexico Quality Education Award, and National recognition as a Research and Development School. In addition to her leadership in schools, Mary Lou served as an adjunct professor at both the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands University, where she taught courses in Educational Psychology, Student Achievement, Effective Teaching Strategies, and Learning Styles. Following her retirement from Albuquerque Public Schools, she founded the New Mexico Education Network Centre to support school communities and advance teaching and learning practices across the state. Mary Lou will be remembered as a passionate educator, a devoted mother, and a generous friend. She inspired those around her with her love of life, learning, and community. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 21, 2025 at St. Francis Episcopal Church, Parish Hall 2903 Cabezon Rd, Rio Rancho NM 87124. All who knew and loved Mary Lou are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the New Mexico Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (NM ADRC) at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, in honor of Mary Lou's memory. hsc.unm.edu/research/centers-programs/nmadrc/ The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at The Auberge at Cedar Park for their compassionate care during Mary Lou's final days.