Abenicia "Bennie" Baca Obituary

Abenicia “Bennie” Baca, 85 of Anton Chico, NM passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, July 5, 2025 in Las Vegas, NM.

Bennie was born June 3, 1940 in Leyba, NM to Reyes Lopez and Adelita (Lucero) Lopez. She was raised in Leyba and attended school at Gonzales Ranch, NM. On February 5, 1966, Bennie married Benito Baca in Anton Chico, NM. In her career, Bennie worked as a cook for the Anon Chico Schools, retiring after 17 years of service.

In her spare time, Bennie enjoyed picking piñon, making tortillas and watching Little House on The Prairie. She also worked alongside her husband, Benito, at their meat-cutting business.

A faithful parishioner at San Jose Catholic Church in Anton Chico, Bennie loved the time she spent with her family and will be fondly remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mom and grandmother.

Bennie is preceded in death by her husband, Benito, her parents, Reyes and Adelita Lopez and siblings, Rosanna Williams, Lucinda Escalante, Mary Lewis, Don Lopez, Flora Salazar, Linda Lopez, Raymundo Lopez, Ambrosia Sisneros and Heraldo Lopez.

She is survived by her children, Barbara (Bobby) Jaramillo of Anton Chico, Dorothy (Levy) Lopez of Los Montoyas and Rachel (Robert) Chavez of Anton Chico, her grandchildren, Antonio Jaramillo (Esperanza), Patricio Jaramillo, Miguel Lucero, Jordan Tapia (Shawn), RJ Lopez (Jade), Desiree Lujan (Jonathon), Levy Lujan (Stephanie), Crystal Chavez (Anthony), Robert Chavez, Vincent Chavez and TJ Montoya, great-grandchildren, Anelysia Jaramillo, Elianna Jaramillo, Paisley Tapia, Shawn Joaquin Tapia, Kinsley Lopez, Esmerlda Chavez, Marisabel Chavez, Levy Lujan, Lorianna Lujan, Lawson Lujan, Divinity Amphy and Malakai Amphy and her sister, Virginia Garcia of California as well as numerous nephews, nieces, family and friends.

Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 2-6PM at Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa.

Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary will be Friday, July 11, 2025 at 7PM at San Jose Catholic Church in Anton Chico, NM, with viewing beginning at 6PM.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 10AM at San Jose Catholic Church in Anton Chico, with Father Timothy Meurer officiating the service. Viewing will begin at 9AM, prior to the Funeral Mass.

Interment will follow at San Jose Cemetery with Don Lopez, Kenny Medina, Miguel Lucero, Gabriel Lopez, Arturo Sisneros, Martin Pacheco, Christobal Lopez and Carlos Lopez serving as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bennie’s Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.

Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435. 575-472-3369.