Janette "Jan" Marie Baca Roady

Janette Marie (Schmitt) Baca Roady 78, of Socorro, NM passed away on May 22, 2023 after a long battle with COPD.   

Jan moved to New Mexico from Minnesota with her parents in 1957.  After graduating from Socorro High School, she married Felipe E. Baca (deceased 2016) in 1963, they had two children, daughter Michelle Nanette Peralta (deceased 2005) and son Miguel Santiago Baca married to Mary Lou (Jojola) Baca.

She was married in 1988 to her 2nd husband David P. Roady (deceased 2013).  Together they enjoyed lots of fishing & camping, cooking, and being around family.  

Jan worked many years with Socorro Consolidated Schools at both the Junior High and High School.  She was known as Mrs. Baca by all of her students.  She later worked at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) Stallion Site for Newtec where she retired from in 2014.  

While married to her 1st husband as a Fire Chief’s wife, Jan was the President of NM Fireman’s Ladies Auxiliary.  She was a Teacher’s Aide at Socorro Junior High School where she taught English, Reading, and became the sole teacher for Computer Base Learning classes when technology first arrived in Socorro’s public schools.  Then she took her teaching up to Socorro High School.

She left the schools and started working at WSMR Stallion Site as an Administrator and Security Clearance Officer with Newtec.  She was responsible for processing security clearances for foreign officials & visitors working on missions associated with Newtec.  There she participated in countless government missions at WSMR.

She is survived by her two sisters: Patricia K. Pena, Cheryl A. Zamora Flynn, Brother: Steve G. Schmitt (deceased 2022), nieces and nephews: Anne Louise Pena (deceased 2017), Kaye Lynn Bennett, Jeremy R. Zamora, Amos L. Zamora and Derek J. Zamora.  Her Grandchildren are: Michael Peralta (deceased 2016), Arianna Peralta, Brittany Peralta and Jessica Baca.  Great Grandchildren are:  Kristiannah Foote-Peralta and Drake Bryant.  Stepson David Roady Jr.,  Stepdaughters are: Stephanie Roady, Lisa (Roady) and husband Rob Simpson, and Becky Roady. Step Grandchildren: Tate Cox, Gunner Palic, and Avery Palic, Kegan Roady and Bailey Roady, Kurt Simpson, Haley Simpson, Mitchell James, Haden James,  and Bradley James.

Cremation will take place on June 5th at 12:30pm.  Memorial Service will be June 9th at 4:00pm at Daniel’s Funeral Home in Socorro NM.  Burial Service will be immediately following at San Miguel Catholic Cemetery.  Pastor Terry Buckman of First Presbyterian Church presiding.