Betty Lou Baca

On the evening of Thursday, December 15, 2022, Betty L Baca passed away at the age of 74.  Betty was the beloved wife of husband, Robert, and mother to daughter Anita (husband Zack) and son David (wife Rachell), and grandmother to seven beautiful grandchildren: Ellie, Gigi, Uriah, Brittany, Jordan, Stella, and Lucy.  She is also survived by her sisters, Louise, Judy, and Lillian, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom she loved and remained close to.  Betty’s brother Alex, passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 79, who is survived by his wife Irma. 

Betty, the youngest of their four children, was born in Albuquerque on April 19, 1948, to her parents, Bertha and Alex Lujan, Sr.  She grew up in the northeast heights of Albuquerque and graduated from Del Norte High School.  She married her husband Robert on August 2, 1969. Shortly thereafter, Robert graduated from UNM, and they moved to the Richland, Washington State.  Both her children were born in Washington State.  Betty’s true nature was to be a mom and she did a wonderful job of raising her two children.   While living in Richland, Betty met Jackie McAndrew (Husband Richard, Son Patrick), and they became the best of friends; their strong and close friendship spanned nearly 4 decades. Sadly, her best friend and adopted sister, Jackie passed on April 18, 2021.

After a long 30-year journey of living and working in Washington State, Idaho, and Texas, Betty and her husband returned to Albuquerque in 1998.   Betty always has strong sense of family and loved being with her sisters and her brother, as well as family gathering with her many aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces.  Betty extended her family by developing close relationships with her neighbors, many who were elderly, and she watched over them.

A truly gifted cook, Betty had a talent to make the simplest meals taste delicious and wonderful.  Everyone loved her red chili enchiladas, tacos, and pinto beans.  During Christmas, everyone asked for some of her special bizcochitos, oatmeal raisin cookies and fudge.  Betty enjoyed cooking and baking for friends and family.

Betty was a woman of very strong Catholic faith and attended the Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Parish church.  She prayed regularly at home for her immediate and extended family, as well as for her friends and neighbors.  Betty was a natural born “good Samaritan” and would always be quick to help others. She was well liked by all that met her and her desire to treat everyone with respect and human kindness.

Betty’s angelic spirit will forever remain in the hearts of her husband, children, grandchildren, and her extended family.