Carmen Margarita CdeBaca

Carmen Magarita CdeBaca, 90, of Albuquerque passed away on Saturday February 8 after a short stay in Presbyterian Inpatient Hospice, surrounded by her loving family.

Carmen was born July 16, 1934 in Las Vegas, NM, the daughter of Luis and Luisa Gutierrez.

Carmen attended Immaculate Conception School in Las Vegas and Las Vegas High School before marrying the love of her life, Arsenio CdeBaca.

Carmen married Arsenio CdeBaca on December 8, 1951 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Las Vegas, NM. Carmen and Arsenio were married just short of 50 years, when Arsenio passed away on July 19, 2001 after a long battle with cancer. Carmen and Arsenio, with their infant son Larry, moved from Las Vegas to Las Cruces, NM in 1952 so Arsenio could pursue a degree in engineering. During their years at New Mexico State University, they forged many lifelong friendships, and created memories that allowed Carmen's gift of story-telling to entertain her friends and family throughout the years. In the early 1960s, Carmen, Arsenio and their two sons, Larry and Anthony returned to Albuquerque, where they settled in and continued to grow their family with the births of their 3rd and 4th sons, Michael and Gene.

Carmen was a supportive and proud wife of Arsenio who had a successful career as an electronics engineer. Carmen and Arsenio were committed to providing their four sons with a quality education. All four sons graduated from Our Lady of Annunciation Catholic School, and went on to graduate from St. Pius X Catholic High School. Carmen loved her family and worked hard every day to provide stability, discipline and a loving home for her family. She never retired from that position.

Carmen loved her family with her whole heart. Her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters and her nieces and nephews brought her joy throughout her life. She showed her love and joy with her beautiful smile, infectious laugh and many thoughtful gestures. Carmen loved art. She became an accomplished and gifted painter of oil-paintings, mostly New Mexico landscapes. Her work was shown at the state Capital and sold in several galleries around the state. She also made one-of-a-kind jewelry that continues to be worn and enjoyed by her friends and family. In her years of cooking for her family, Carmen became accomplished at making her family's favorites, among many were her sopapillas and flour tortillas, even winning a blue ribbon and best of show at the New Mexico State Fair with her perfectly round, delicious flour tortillas. She never tired of pointing out a beautiful sunset or majestic cloud formation, often picking up the phone to call one of her loved ones to tell them to "go look outside"!

Carmen attended Our Lady of The Annunciation Catholic Church for more than 60 years. She was active in the prayer ministry with the church.

Remaining to cherish Carmen's memory are sons Larry CdeBaca and his wife Amy, Tony C'deBaca and his wife Melody, Michael C'deBaca and his wife Ingrid, and Gene CdeBaca and his partner, Anthony Vigil; grandchildren Jeff CdeBaca (Larry), Anthony C'deBaca (Tony) Taylor Robles (Michael), Ashley C'deBaca (Tony); step grandchildren Betsey Davis, Katie Schneier, Nick Schneier (Larry), Elise Rausch (Michael); great-grandchildren Dakota Grogan, Hatcher C'deBaca; step great-grandchildren Sophia Schneier, Myles Davis, Leo Rausch, Chloe Rausch; her sister Patsy Roybal, sister-in-law Ann CdeBaca; brother-in-law Max Trujillo; many beloved nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Carmen also leaves her beloved dog Niko, who was her constant companion for the last 14 years of her life.

Preceding Carmen in death are her husband Arsenio; parents, Luis and Luisa Gutierrez; sisters, Angela Gonzales and Connie Trujillo; her beloved nephew and niece, Tony Trujillo and Carmella Tafoya, great-nephew Tony Trujillo Jr.; and step great-grandson Omar Davis.

A Rosary will be held Thursday February 20 at 6:00 pm at FRENCH-Wyoming. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday February 21 at 10:30 am at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 2621 Vermont Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, with Monsignor Vorhees officiating. A lunch reception will follow at Trinity @ the Marketplace, 2520 Chama St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. A private Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery at the convenience of the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Carmen CdeBaca's memory may be directed to Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church.