MARGIE GARZA, 84, of Las Cruces, passed away on April 27, 2021. Margie is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Lalo Garza; parents Marcelino and Josephine Prelo; sisters Aurora Hinshaw, Carmen Brusuelas, Beatrice Melendrez and Josephine Smith; and brothers Henry Prelo and Marc Prelo. Margie is survived by her children Carmen Garza, Carlos Garza, and Robert Garza (Maryester); her sister Roberta “Bobbie” Montoya (George); her grandchildren Michael Garza (Amy), Joseph Garza, Marcel Garza, Carson Garza and Alannah Spilsbury; and her great granddaughter Madilyn Garza. The seventh of eight children, Margie was born on September 23, 1936 in Alamogordo, to Marcelino and Josephine Prelo. Her father immigrated from Spain circa 1920 when he came to the United States to ultimately build a family legacy and successful business in Mescalero, NM with his wife Josephine. This is where Margie and her siblings were raised. At an early age, Margie learned from her parents and worked in the family business which included a grocery store and meat market, gas pumps, and a modest four room motel. This is where she learned to interact and network with people as well as how to care for family, neighbors, and friends. She also learned how to be fiscally conservative while also making the most out of everything she did. Margie was a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and homemaker. She enjoyed crafts and was an exceptional cook. Her children all learned to make her special recipes and share her love of gardening. She was especially proud of her remarkable rose gardens. She made quilts and afghans for her family and close friends. She was active in local politics including campaigns for her husband who was elected as the Third Judicial District Attorney. Later she served as Treasurer and campaign coordinator for family and friends serving in local government and the NM Legislature. She was a natural when it came to coordinating, facilitating, and talking to all of the people active in that environment. Margie was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories. In addition to being that special support system for her husbands’ political endeavors, she was proud of her children and their successes. Her daughter, Carmen, who after law school and private practice became a Federal Magistrate Judge in Las Cruces. Her son Carlos was elected to the Dona Ana County Commission and the New Mexico Magistrate Court. Her son Robert was an engineer for the City of Las Cruces where he ultimately served as City Manager then to own and operate an engineering and management consulting firm. After her husband retired in 1995, they enjoyed a life full of leisure, travel, and entertainment. They enjoyed hosting friends and family in the family home in Las Cruces. Having lived in Las Cruces for almost 60 years, they made a lot of friends and were well known in the community. A Memorial Mass will be held at 2 PM Friday, June 4, 2021 at the Basilica de San Albino, 2070 Calle de Santiago in Mesilla. A private burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family wish to extend our sincere thanks to Memorial Medical Center, the Village at Northrise, and all the close friends and family who have been a part of her life. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for “Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com
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