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Category: Obituaries Obituaries
Published: 31 May 2017 31 May 2017

Siria Garcia rsSiria Martinez Garcia, 93, died peacefully on May 27, 2017, in the comfort of her home and company of her loving family in Silver City.

Siria was born August 8, 1923 in Santa Rita to Gregoria Rodriguez Quinones and Carlos Parra Martinez. She was raised at the "Rancho" until the age of sixteen with her siblings who were an important part of her life. In 1940 she married Pete (Pite) and started her married life in a house close to her many Garcia-Polanco in-laws that became her second family. She adored all her seven children, 23 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Siria was known as the "lady who made cakes" and she was very proud to have made wedding cakes for several hundred couples. She was also proud to call many people her friends and you knew it when she became her friend as she was fiercely loyal. She loved celebrating her birthdays with a backyard gathering and welcomed all her family with food and music. Siria had great faith and said her prayers each morning and night.

Siria is survived by her daughters, Gloria "Gogie" Aralica (Mark), Sylvia Rueda of Silver City and Bernadine Cordova of Portales, NM; sons, Roberto "Bobby" (Helen) Austin, TX, David and Alfredo "Freddy" (Debbie) of Casper, WY; brothers, Dr. Alfred Merino (Nancy) of San Diego, CA, Reynaldo Merino (Margaret) of McAllen, TX; sisters-in-law, Tila Merino (Severiano) and Carmen Merino (Frank). Siria joins her beloved husband, Pete; son Horace; her parents; beloved step-father Jesus Merino; Martinez siblings, Altagracia Carbajal (Manuel), Manuela and "Chala" (Dora); Merino siblings, Severiano "Chano" and Frank; granddaughter, Bianca Rueda.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 5 to 6 PM at Baca's Funeral Chapels in Silver City. The Prayer Vigil and Rosary will follow at 6pm at Baca's Funeral Chapels. Officiating will be Dr. Gilbert Arizaga. A Celebration of Life will be on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 11:30 in the morning at Baca's Funeral Chapels. Concluding Services and Burial will follow at 1pm at Fort Bayard National Cemetery. Officiating will be Deacon Reynaldo Merino. Serving as pallbearers will be Ramon Rueda Jr., Elijah, Mark and Ivan Aralica, CJ Quinones, Marcelino Garcia, Manuel Merino and Santiago Camarena. Honorary pallbearers are Carlos and Oscar Merino, RJ, Carlos, Sergio, Eric and Michael Garcia, Darren Richards (Garcia), Mario and Brendan Aralica, Sonny Padilla, Gilbert Carbajal, Javier Gonzales and Mike Trujillo.