Helen Garcia

Helen Garcia, 84 of Portales and formerly of Vaughn passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at Roosevelt General Hospital following an illness. She was born March 26, 1933 in Encino, NM to the home of Andres and Octavania (Larranaga) Pena. She was raised in Encino where she attended and graduated high school. Helen was united in marriage to Antonio D. Garcia on June 2, 1951 at Encino. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Mary Parish in Vaughn and St. Helen Parish in Portales. She and Antonio made their home in Vaughn for many years. For the past 8 years they have resided in Portales. Helen enjoyed quilting and made plenty of blankets for her entire family, she loved bingo and going to the casino. Helen loved spending time with her family. Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Andres Pena in 1963 and Octavania Pena in 1970, son Manuel Garcia in 1965, two daughters Cecilia Chavez in 2003 and Beatrice Garcia on Sunday, February 25, 2018, two granddaughters Bobbi Sisneros in 1980 and Holly Garcia in 1988, a great grandson Derek Garcia Jr. in 2005 along with three sisters Rita Romero, Lupe Tapia, and Caroline Tenorio, and two brothers Albert Pena and Cipriano Pena. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Helen will be missed by her husband of 66 years Antonio D. Garcia of Portales, two daughters Diana Garcia of Portales, Irene (Johnny) Sanchez of Vaughn, two sons Anthony (Sandra) Garcia of Santa Fe, Patricio (Amy) Garcia of Portales, two sisters Brijida Felix of Moriarty, Carmen Montano of Santa Fe, a brother Andy (Mercedes) Pena of Albuquerque along with 23 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. A rosary will be recited at 10:30 am Friday, March 02, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vaughn, NM. Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 am. Burial will be at Encino with Father Christopher Bernabe officiating. Pallbearers will include Marc Chavez, Aaron Chavez, Vickie Mendoza, Venus Garcia, Derek Garcia, and Nathaniel Garcia. Honorary bearers will be all her remaining grandchildren. Visitation hours will be Thursday, March 01, 2018 from 1pm to 6 pm at the Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The casket will be open at the church one hour prior to the services on Friday. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book, go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com