Elizabeth "Alice" Gabaldon

Everyone knew our mom as Alice (we never figured out why she had that nickname) she was born Elizabeth Blake in January of 1929.  She grew up in Belen, where she met our dad, Ruben Gabaldon and were married. They eventually moved to Albuquerque and had nine kids together.      

She loved her kids but loved her 19 grandkids more than anything. She also helped raise Nancy’s two kids.  They both lived with her until they both were married. Danny, the oldest grandchild lived with her until he was about four years of age. He and his cousins would walk to the ditch from her house and catch crawdads. Several of the grandkids are now in their forties. She also has many great grandkids.

When we were growing up, she would save our wallet sized school photos in the miniature whiskey bottles (yep, whiskey bottles and she didn’t drink) she would find on the side of the road (she didn’t drive, so as kids we walked everywhere with her, downtown mostly when we lived in Barelas).  We never knew why she did it or where she got the idea, but they are still all over her house with her kids' pics in them. She was  way ahead of her time by upcycling before it was a thing. LOL

Our mom was always there to help her family with what little she had. Our mother was strong willed and didn’t like anyone changing anything in her house. She spent most of her days watching her favorite game shows and loved to sit by the window in her living room drinking coffee. She also loved to garden, but as time went on, she had to leave it to her daughter Nancy. She loved red and wearing her favorite red slippers or Chopos as she called them. She enjoyed having her kids visit (especially during the holidays because we all would be there with her favorite foods) and if we didn’t make it over weekly, she would answer the door with “who are you”, but we all made it a point to visit on a regular basis. She didn’t like talking on the phone and didn’t believe in goodbyes so when the conversation ended, she would hang up as you were saying goodbye.

Mom we already miss you so much and our lives forever changed, but you will always be in our memories.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Ruben Gabaldon, Son Gabaldon Jr, and Grand daughter, Miranda Mirabal.

She is survived by her son, Richard Gabaldon, Daughters, Nancy Gabaldon, Ruby Perea (Lawrence), Pearl Baca, Tammy Castillo (Manuel), Kathy Baca, and Shirley Mirabal (Gerald), her nineteen grand children, and many great grandchildren. 

We would like to thank everyone that has sent us thoughts and prayers. 

Private Services and to be determined at a later date.