Margaret Garcia

Margaret was born in Madrid, New Mexico on June 10, 1913, the daughter of Damian and Fidela Dimas Sandoval. She had five brothers, Refugio, Leo, Manuel, Damian and Orlando along with four sisters, Maria Metzgar, Ramona Baca, Alice Gonzales and Lena Garcia. She attended grade school in Madrid and graduated from Albuquerque High in 1931, then immediately began teaching school in La Cienega. Salvador and Margaret were married in 1934 and lived a full life together until his death in 1988. They have one daughter, Ruth, who was born in 1941. In 1948 they established the famous El Modelo Tortilla Factory and kept until it's sale in 1987. During that time Margaret continued teaching while getting Bachelor and Master Degrees from the University of New Mexico. After retirement from thirty-two years of teaching she began volunteering at St. Joseph Hospital for the twenty-five years. She was president of the auxiliary in 1980-81, chaired the information desk, surgical waiting and gift shop along with serving as director of American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery for thirteen years. She also worked with United Way, March of Dimes, Brothers of the Good Shepherd, YMCA and at Immaculate Conception Church as President of the Altar Society, Legion of Mary and Annual Catholic Appeal. Other committees within the Archdiocese were serving as President of the National Council of Catholic Women, Justice Committee, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcre of Jerusalem and as a Regent of Catholic Daughters of America Court 317 for several years. She was elected to the New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women and served with the Alliance of Pan American Round Tables. The family traveled extensively together to Mexico, Central and South America, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Japan and Europe. Margaret's pallbearers will be Richard Parra, Charlie Parra, Chris Parra, Mike Sandoval, Anthony Segura and Orrin King. Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 4, 2013, 10:00 a.m. both at Immaculate Conception Church, 619 Copper Ave NW. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.