Rita Kelly

Rita Kelly, 72, of Las Cruces, NM passed away May 17, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family. 

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca’s Funeral Chapels.  Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 9:30 am on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Reserve.   The Funeral Mass will follow thereafter.  The Rite of Committal and inurnment of her cremated remains will follow at the Kelly Ranch Cemetery.  Officiating will be Father Anthony Dike. 

Rita was born June 10, 1950 in Gallup, NM to Albert and Braulia Garcia. She spent most of her life in the beautiful state of New Mexico, residing in Grants, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho before retiring in Las Cruces to be closer to grandchildren. In her early life, she was a beautician, but also found time to help at her family bar before deciding to go to college. She was a 1989 graduate of New Mexico State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance before devoting most of her working years to being a workman's compensation adjustor. 

Rita is survived by one son, Pablo Kelly (Salem) of Phoenix, AZ; two daughters, Lisa Pullig (Corey) of Houston, TX and Genevieve Montoya (Danny) of Las Cruces, NM; two brothers, Michael Garcia and Monico Garcia; three sisters, Marcella Sandoval, Ida Chavez and Clara Guzman; step-sons, Domingo Kelly (Tina) of Agora Hills, CA, and Lewis Kelly Jr of Ruidoso, NM. Also surviving Rita are five grandchildren, Owen and Luke Pullig and Bonnie, Paisley and Julian “JW” Montoya.  Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Kelly; son, Joe Guzman III; brother, Pete Garcia; as well as her parents, Albert and Braulia Garcia.  

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to please donate in honor of Rita to the Lustgarten Foundation either online, or by phone at 1-866-789-1000.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rita Kelly, please visit our floral store.