Corine Montoya Garcia Márquez

Corine Montoya Garcia M has answered the Lord’s invitation to Paradise

Corine was born in Fort Collins. Colorado on April 25, 1924. Her parents were Emanuel and Manuelita (Montoya) Garcia. Her brothers: Albert and wife Josephine Garcia (deceased); Fred and wife Lucy Garcia living in South Carolina. Her ancestors and that of her husband, Jose Marquez were among the First European settlers who traveled El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro with don Juan de Onate in 1598 to settle Nueva Espana and later were the Founding Families of the Villa de Alburquerque in 1706.  Corine married José Márquez at a young age dedicating her herself to being a home- maker moving from Las Vegas, NM to Anton Chico, NM where she had three children: Cynthia Dolores(deceased), Albert Dennis(deceased) and Maria Conchita.

After her husband’s service in the US Navy, stationed in California, they moved back to Anton Chico, NM and she helped run the farm and orchard.  Jose was later elected Sheriff of Guadalupe County and moved the family to Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Many times the Sheriff brought Corine children of detainees to be fed, bathed, get clean clothes and have a good night’s sleep. During the oil boom the family moved to Farmington, New Mexico and bought Jim’s Market. Corine enrolled at San Juan School of Cosmetology and later opened Corine’s Beauty Salon next to her father’s M & M barber shop. She operated her business for approximately 20 years and sold to move to Santa Fe making it easier for her husband to pursue his love of raising cattle in the Anton Chico Land grant. This of course meant helping her husband with this endeavor but missing the cosmetology business and friends she went back to work. After their grandson’s, Dennis Olin’s  motorcycle accident, they sold their home and moved to Alburquerque to take care of Dennis who has traumatic head injury. She continued to be a caregiver for both of her parents until they died in a fire in her home at ages 93. Corine’s caregiving did not stop there as  she cared for her husband and later her son who died of bone marrow cancer.  Corine was an active member of the New Mexican Hispanic Culture Preservation League where she took an interest in history and wanted to acknowledge her ancestors who served at the Presido and gave donations for the War of Independence. Currently thanks to Henrietta Christmas three generations are members of Charles Dibrell chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution  as well: her daughter Conchita Lucero, and granddaughter Lynne Arendall, 

While her son Albert served in the US Army after he graduation from New Mexico Military Institute and Fort Lewis College she was able to visit him at various places he was stationed and developed an interest in travel visiting many countries such as : Spain, Mexico, France, Italy, Egypt, Israel, England, Western and Southern Caribbean , Canada, San Juan Puerto Rico and much of the United States. Her hobbies were sewing, crocheting and dabbled in oil painting, reading and gardening and tending her pet turtles time in prayer. Now she tends her pet turtles and spends time in prayer.

Corine was preceded in death by her husband Jose Marquez . Her remains will be next to her husband at Gate of Heaven along with her parents Emanuel and Mela Garcia, Daughter Dolores, Son Albert and Grandson Dean Lucero. Corine loved her son-in-law John Lucero like a son and created him for enabling her travels  as he always made sure to invite her to go on vacation with the family and her granddaughters Lynne’s husband. Michael Arendall, was also a special joy to her always willing to help  where he could. Corine is a grandmother of six, great grandmother of six, one Great Grand God son Alex Sloan, and seven  great great grandchildren.

Family would like to thank the caregivers who were so kind to her treating her like their grandmother, especially High Desert Hospice and nurses who tended to her needs with prompt and concerned attention. Her Chaplin throughout the years John Ambrose whose spiritual teaching and prayer helped lead us through the journeys end. Corine was a devout Catholic attending mass daily while she was able and praying the Rosary for us all. Christian teachings tell us she is on her final journey to Paradise. Till we met again and thank you Lord for the precious memories on this life’s journey. Love you Mom and will miss you saying” I love you more.”

Pray a mass for me, send memorial contributions Plant a Tree in New Mexico or the Alzheimer’s Association.