Juanita E. Garcia passed away on May 9th, 2011, Mother's Day in Chino, CA., Surrounded by her children and grandchildren and other loved ones. Juanita was a loving, caring person who raised more than her children and adopted grandchildren, but helped raise various nephews and nieces and took care of her parents when ill.
She was born in Ledoux, NM on July 15, 1921, to the late Emilio and Libradita Esquibel. She married Juan L. Garcia in 1944, in Mora and later moved to Cheyenne, WY.
Juanita was an ambitious woman, going to garage sales, flea and swap meets which she enjoyed very much not because of the bargains or profits but because she had the opportunity to talk to and meet many different people. She did this in California and later on in New Mexico.
When she returned to New Mexico in 1976, she moved back to Ledoux where she and her husband took up ranching with her Dad Emilio who had been a rancher all his life. She was a woman rancher living in a man's world, buying/selling cattle, and attending livestock auctions, baling, fixing fences, cleaning ditches, etc.; working on the ranch which she loved with all her heart.
Juanita was a life long member of St. Gertrudes Church of Mora, and St. Gertrudes Church, in Bell Gardens, CA. They were both faithful Catholics and worked hard to send all of their children to Catholic Schools. She was a member of the NM Livestock Cattle Association, member and Treasurer of the La Isla Acequia Association as well as a member of the San Jose Acequia Association.
Juanita is preceded in death by her parents Emilio and Libradita Esquibel, husband, Juan L. Garcia, son, Thomas James Garcia, and Brothers Ted and Alfred Esquibel and Sister Grace Martinez. She is survived by her Brothers Emilio Esquibel and wife Helen of Las Vegas; Charlie Esquibel and wife Jeannie of Las Vegas; Alfonso Esquibel and wife Eleanor of Roswell; Ferdinand Esquibel; and Anthony Esquibel and wife Debbie of Denver, CO; Sisters Julia Herrera, of Bell, CA; Ernestina Ogden, and husband Charles, of La Habra, CA.; Pedro (Pete) Pacheco partner and companion of 14 years; Daughters Joyce Santos of Cypress, CA; Stella Estrada and husband Beto of South Gate, CA; Della Martinez and husband Ed of Chino, CA; John L. Garcia and wife Ann of Ledoux; Debra Casaus and husband Frank, of Rio Rancho; Ben Santos and fiancé Martha of Santa Fe; 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Rosary devotional service will be held on Thursday , May 12, 2011 at 7: 00 pm at the St. Gertrude in Mora, NM. Funeral services will be on Friday May 13, 2011 at 9:30 am at St. Gertrude in Mora ,NM with Father John McHugh. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30 pm with the following serving as casket bearers: Keith Martinez, Joshua Garcia, Justin Garcia, Derek Santos, Johnathon Garcia, Brian Santos, Max Balderas and Paul Balderas. The Eulogy will be delivered by Anthony (Bennie) Esquibel),
Please visit our website: www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign our online register book.
Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Mortuary, Las Vegas, NM, 1-800-479-3511 or 505-425-3511.