Carmen Bernal Baca

Carmen Bernal Baca, born in Holbrook, AZ the youngest of the large family of Jacob and Rufina (Perea) Bernal, who were originally from Peralta, NM but homesteading at Taylor, AZ. Carmen's mother died when she was 3 months old so she was raised by her older sister Emma, who became a surrogate mother to her young siblings. When Emma married Santiago Marquez of Tome, they moved back to New Mexico, and Carmen accompanied them, raised as their oldest daughter along with the Marquez children, Benito, Leo, Ruben, Jim and Mary Ann. She met her future husband, Doroteo R. Baca at Los Lunas High School right before WWII and worked as a secretary in Albuquerque while she waited for him to return from his service in the U.S. Army in Europe. They were married Dec. 29, 1946 beginning a life together that included 8 children and a successful farm and ranching operation. She also worked part-time for the Agriculture Statistics Reporting Agency. Since her husband was active not only in farming and ranching but also in politics and law enforcement, she took a major part in managing the farm and ranch operation. She regarded the care of her family as her most valuable accomplishment. She was known for her sewing and crocheting, but especially for her “world famous” tortillas, red chili and pastelitos. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Carmen, Anita, Sarita, Feliz, Aurelio, Jacob, Roman, Manuel, Emma, Benito Marquez; husband, Doroteo; daughter-in-law, Susan and grandsons, Ivan and Daniel. Carmen is survived by her sister-in-law Angelita Bernal; children, ˜Elizabeth M. Baca, Ramon and wife, Cecilia, Joseph Arnold and companion, Luci, Patricio C. and wife, Annie, Angelo B. and wife, Judy, Jacob F., George and wife, Elizabeth, Charles T. and wife, Mary Margaret; ˜19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and special friend and sister-in-law of many years, Assunta Berry. She is also survived by many loving nephews and nieces. All services will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Tome, NM where she was a faithful member for many years. A visitation will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5, with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. A final visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 6, at 10:00 a.m. with Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Tome Catholic Cemetery. ˜Pallbearers will be her grandsons Joseph Gallegos, Bobby, David, Adam, Chris and Jordan Baca.

Carmen Bernal Baca

January 5, 2011