Eileen Borrego Garcia

Eileen Borrego Garcia, age 84, of Albuquerque, NM died on August 5, 2024. Eileen was born in Santa Cruz, NM on November 30, 1939 to Albert and Lenna Borrego. She grew up and attended school in Santa Cruz, living in an adobe house on the plaza across from the church in the northern New Mexico village where she was the Chile Carnival Queen of 1956.

Eileen is survived by her husband of 50 years, Leroy Garcia of Albuquerque. The couple was married at Holy Cross Catholic Church (Iglesia Santa Cruz de La Cañada) on a rainy November day and lived in northern New Mexico and then Albuquerque.

Eileen worked for the Secretary of State in Santa Fe for a number of years, which molded her appreciation for politics, workplace gossip, and office cats. Upon moving to Albuquerque, she worked for Southwest Airlines where she could indulge her love of small talk with complete strangers. Eileen volunteered for Risen Savior Catholic Church for many years, including with nursing home ministry and singing in the choir.

She was a talented cook, collector of Southwestern jewelry and art, avid basketball fan, friend to animals (she especially loved cats), and was rarely seen without her lipstick and carefully chosen jewelry.

Eileen is survived by her four children, Tom Monge of Santa Cruz, Alberta Beck (David) of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Lenna Andrews of Los Alamos, and Kristiana Garcia (Jeremy Morrison) of Washington, DC; five grandchildren, Christopher Beck (Chelsey) and Kevin Beck (Taylor) of Florida, Amaya Andrews of Los Alamos, and Teddy and Maren Morrison of Washington, DC; and three great grandchildren: Hudson, Wyatt, and Parker Beck of Tallahassee, FL.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers or gifts, individuals contribute to the charity of their choice in her honor.

Mass will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 10:00 am at Risen Savior Catholic Community 7701 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque NM 87109 followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery 7999 Wyoming Blvd NE and a reception at FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd NE.