Helen "Elena" Baca Valenzuela

Elena (Helen) Baca Valenzuela, 81, lifelong resident of Deming entered eternal rest on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family.

Visitation will begin Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 9 to 10 o’clock in the morning at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be recited at 10 led by Patsy Leyba. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 with the rite of committal and interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Fr. Aloysius Orekie, Pastor will officiate

Helen was born February 20, 1941 in Dwyer, NM to Federico T. Baca and Eulalia Placencio. She married Lorenzo Valenzuela and together they raised their 3 children: Rachel, Gerry, and Fred. She was employed at Deming Dental as a dental assistant for over 30 years. In her spare time, Helen enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, sewing and making beautiful rag dolls and their clothing. Moreover, Helen was a very loving and caring person who was always happy, quick witted and cracking jokes because she enjoyed seeing people laugh. Helen had an amazing sense of humor and could get along with just about anybody, but there were moments where she could be very blunt and straight forward as well. Helen was also a very faithful member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

What Helen loved and enjoyed most was cooking and providing for her family, especially for her five grandchildren: Melina, Abraham, Nathan, David, and Paul. The grandchildren always said she was famous for her cheesy potatoes, homemade tortillas and sopapillas; always had mac and cheese with spam; and if you were going to travel, she would always furnish you with a sack lunch or something to eat and drink. Helen also loved to go on “special adventures” with her grandchildren like singing and dancing in the grocery store without a care if anyone was watching or laughing. She loved to make up funny stories and songs to make her grandchildren laugh. Helen had special nicknames for each of her grandchildren and they had special and affectionate nicknames for her as well (like “Grandma Moo” and “Grandma Beans”). She always made each grandchild feel like they were her favorite, and Helen was always their protector or defender against anyone who tried to harm or do them wrong. Best of all, her grandchildren always felt very welcome, safe, and comfortable at grandma’s house. Helen was always full of love, laughs and strength even to the very end of her life. Her loving presence will be extremely missed by all.

Helen is survived by her husband, Lorenzo Valenzuela; 3 children— Gerald “Gerry” (wife, Darla), Fred Valenzuela, and Rachel (husband, Michael) Renteria, who all reside in Deming; 4 sisters— Rose (husband, Danny) Bustamante of Las Cruces, Manuela P. (husband, Gene) Van of Redmond, WA, Ruth B. Costales of Alabama, and Eva B. Uzueta of Deming; 5 grandchildren— Melina Ybarra, Abraham and Nathan Renteria, and David and Paul Valenzuela— and 12 great-grandchildren—   Andrew Alonzo,  Anthony Michael and Maleeya Ybarra; Jayden Elijah and Anthony David Valenzuela; Natalia Anthony Valenzuela; Jayden, Drina and Dak Guthrie;  Ezekiel Bryant, Destinee Gianna and Riley Rae Renteria.

Preceding her in death are her parents; 4 siblings— Francisco and Antonio Baca, Anita Orosco and Dora B. Hunter; 2 grandchildren— Gerald Anthony Valenzuela, Larissa Renteria; and 1 great-granddaughter—Faith Aleeya Ybarra.

Serving as pallbearers will be David and Paul Valenzuela, Andrew Ybarra, Peter Grelle, and Abraham and Nathan Renteria.  Honorary pallbearer is Anthony Michael Ybarra.

Click this link to view additional details about Elena's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/elena-valenzuela

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