Lala Garcia Gabaldon (Garcia)

Lala Garcia Gabaldon (Garcia)

Died 2023

On Friday, June 30, 2023, Lala passed on to her eternal peace, while surrounded by her loving family. Her strong, unwavering Catholic faith gave her the strength to endure until her final breath of this earthly life.

Lala is survived by her children, Patricia Gab

aldon, Susan Duran (husband, John), Gilbert Gabaldon, Irene Gabaldon, Gregory Gabaldon (wife, Leticia) and Angela Gabaldon; her sisters, Celia Birner and Eileen Jaramillo; grandchildren, Joseph Robert (wife, Lydia), Alyssa, Diego, Christine (husband, Cameron), Mary, and Nathan. Lala had four great-grandchildren.

Along with her own siblings, she considered her in-laws additional sisters and brothers, Jean Garcia (wife of Tomas), Geri Gabaldon (husband, Milton), Eugene Gabaldon (wife, Gloria), Dolores Apodaca (husband, Hank) and Loretta C. Gabaldon. She had many nieces and nephews, all of whom she welcomed into her heart and home. She genuinely loved unconditionally, and welcomed all she met with her warm smile.

Lala was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Gillie H. Gabaldon; son, Mario Gabaldon; daughter, Veronica Marlar; mother, Raquel Jaramillo; stepfather, Nestor Jaramillo; father, Tomas Garcia; sister, Andrea Camp; and brother, Tom C. Garcia.

In her younger years, Lala was a member of the Catholic Daughters. After her children were grown, she volunteered more than 20 years of service to the Belen St. Vincent de Paul Society. Lala actively supported the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Lala’s joys were her family, attending Catholic Mass, gardening, connecting with friends and classmates, reading, 1,000-piece puzzles, music, singing and line dancing. Her full-hearted laughter was an exclamation of her lovely soul, and she projected that beauty on to all who were blessed to know her.

A visitation for Lala will take place at 4 p.m., Monday, July 17, Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel. A final visitation will take place at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 19, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. A Rosary will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the Mass at 10:30 a.m. Lala will then be laid to rest at 1 p.m.,  Wednesday, July 19, at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Funeral service participants will be Rosary: Richard Camp; readings: Sally Nicholson, Janet Sanchez and Gary Gabaldon; church pallbearers: Diego Marlar, Antonio Sedillo, Henry Apodaca, Jim Garcia, John Garcia, Chris Gabaldon and Steve Ethridge; gift offerings: Gilbert Gabaldon and Gregory Gabaldon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to NAMI.org or to Belen St. Vincent de Paul. A special thank you to the staff of Presbyterian hospitals and hospice for their kindness and exceptional care.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 505-864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.