Evangelina Maria Banigy “Elba” Garcia, 66, died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, Colo. A funeral service was held Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Pine River Valley Baptist Church.
Mrs. Garcia was born July 29, 1946, in La Cañada, N.M., the daughter of Abran and Pablita Lucero. Elba grew up in New Mexico and also in the San Diego, Calif., area. She returned back to New Mexico near Rosa. But Elba lived most of her life in Allison, Colo. She raised all of her seven children in Allison.
Elba enjoyed watching the television comedy, The Golden Girls. She was a great cook, like to go to the casino and enjoyed doing crafts. She was also very fond of Spanish music and liked to dance when she could, especially in her red high-heeled shoes. She made sure that all of her children and grandchildren were taken care of as she was a very giving woman. “If she had it and you needed it ... it was yours,” fondly recall her family. Elba also adored her animals and recently mourned the passing of her dog, Muffin, who died last Sunday. She also had a Jack Russell terrier named Skippy.
She is survived by Nora Garcia (daughter) of Arboles, Anna (David) Lucero (daughter) of Seminole, Texas, Tinnie (Juan Valencia) Fulks (daughter) of Ignacio, Colo., Josie (Russell) Tackett (daughter) of Allison, Joe (Mandi) Garcia (son) of San Angelo, Texas, Ernie (Dwane Reed) Garcia (son) of Ignacio, Bobbie Jo Martin (daughter) of Farmington, N.M., Jerry Ulibarri, Jr. (son) of Farmington; 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous other family members; Celestino Lucero (brother) of Grand Junction, Colo., Max Lucero (brother) of Durango, Pete Lucero (brother) of Allison, and Viola Montoya (sister) of Allison.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Ulibarri, in October 2011.
