Tillie Arrey Banegas

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Tillie Arrey Banegas, on January 13, 2025. Tillie was born in Placitas, New Mexico on January 28, 1927, to parents Victor Arrey and Ramona Tellez.
Having grown up during the Depression, Tillie traveled with her family to California where they picked grapes and other produce in the Salinas Valley. Later, as a young adult, she proudly went to work at Lockheed-Vega Company as a "Rosie Riveter". Tillie returned home to the Hatch Valley, when on weekends, along with her dad and uncles, traveled as a band to perform at various dance halls. There she and her sisters would sing songs of the World War II era when Big Band music was the rage. She met and married Estevan V. Banegas where she, alongside with a growing family, helped Estevan on the chile and cotton farm. Upon the death of her husband and as her grown children left home, Tillie worked as a nutritionist for Community Action Agency and Home Education Livelihood program where she advocated for pre-school and migrant education as well as for balanced and healthy lunch programs. Throughout her life in the Hatch Valley, Mrs. Banegas participated in membership events with the VFW Auxiliary where she had recently been acknowledged as the longest serving member of the group for the state of New Mexico. Tillie was most proud of her grandfather, Urbano Arrey, who served as the first Postmaster of Arrey, NM, and for whom the small village is named. Upon retirement, "MaTil" stayed home to enjoy life, travel, and see her grand and great-grandchildren grow up. Just so you know, she never used "the look", "el pelisco" (the pinch"), and fly swatter (mata moscas) on her grandchildren as her grandchildren were tenderly loved and spoiled; that mode of discipline was reserved for her children!
Those left to mourn her are her children Primo and Jeanne Banegas, Jimmy and Josie Banegas, Edna Mae and Frank Wasson and Dr. Victoria Banegas-Gonzalez. Mrs. Banegas is survived by her siblings, Victor Arrey, Martina Serna, and Elizabeth Apodaca, many grand and great grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Tillie was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her children Estevan B. Banegas, Patrick S. Banegas, Gary L. Banegas, Minerva B. Robles and Peggy Bustamante, her sisters, Aurelia Jenkins and Tina Griego, and grandchildren, Jody Robles, Margo Bustamante, and Sara Jo Duran-Barela.
Rosary and Mass for Tillie Banegas will be held at 10:00 AM, January 24, 2025, at Our Lady of All Nations Catholic Church, 1993 Rincon Road, Rincon, NM. "Ma Till's" Pallbearers will be Estevan Banegas, Jacob Banegas, Joey Banegas, Gary Banegas, Albert Benjamin Duran, and James Robles. Grandma's Honorary Pallbearers are Jackie Robles, Johnny Robles, Andreana Banegas, Jennfer Strobbe, Jaime Ramirez, Dr. Mateo Banegas, Sha-Marie Long, Meagan Walker, Hank Wasson, Analisa Murenin, Rebecca Banegas, Daniel Banegas, Joanna Banegas, and James Duran. Burial will take place at the Hatch Memorial Gardens followed by a Celebration of Life at Our Lord of Mercy Catholic Church Parish Hall in Hatch, NM.