Cruz Michael and Jessalynn Annina Mendez

Together in life and forever united in spirit, Cruz Michael Mendez and Jessalynn Annina Mendez shared a love rooted deeply in family, faith, hard work, and the beauty of the outdoors.

Cruz was born on May 3, 1987, and passed away on March 30, 2025. Jessalynn was born on January 11, 1992, and passed away on May 5, 2026. Both were lifelong residents of Mescalero, a place they proudly called home and where they built a life together surrounded by the people and land they loved most.

Cruz and Jessalynn met in 2008 and remained side by side ever since, building a bond that carried them through life with unwavering devotion and love. Together they shared a passion for the outdoors and could often be found hunting, cutting wood, shed hunting, or working on vehicles together. No matter the task, they enjoyed doing it hand in hand, creating memories through simple moments and shared laughter.

Above all else, they cherished their family. They are lovingly survived by their five children: Makie, East, Cruz Jr., Jude, and Sunflower; and their beloved grandson, Kaydriel.

They were preceded in death by their son, their granddaughter Annia Lorine Torres, and Cruz's mother, Eugenia Mendez.

Cruz and Jessalynn will be remembered for the love and compassion they carried throughout their lives and shared freely with those around them. Their strength, kindness, and deep dedication to family left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know them. Though deeply missed, their memories will forever live on in the hearts of their children, family, and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 22, at 10:00 a.m. at the Assembly of God in Mescalero, with burial services to follow. A potluck dinner will be held afterward at the Assembly of God dining hall. Family, friends, and community members are warmly welcomed to attend and celebrate the lives of Cruz and Jessalynn together.

Their love story continues through the family they created and the countless memories they leave behind.