Grace Angela Roybal

Grace Angela Roybal passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous year and a half journey with cancer. Grace was born on March 14, 1983, and throughout her 43 years of life, she brought an incredible amount of love, happiness, and sunshine to everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Grace lived with developmental disabilities, but they never defined the beautiful person she was. She had a wonderful ability to make people smile and was truly a ray of light to everyone she met. Her warmth, personality, laughter, and loving spirit touched the lives of so many. From a young age, Grace was lovingly nicknamed “Sunshine,” a name that perfectly described the light she carried with her throughout her life.

Grace valued her relationships deeply and formed many meaningful connections with her family, friends, boyfriends, and members of her community. One of her greatest joys was being an auntie to Jeremy, Mikayla, Bubba, and Donovan, and a great auntie to Rauri. She loved her family dearly and took great pride in being an aunt.

Grace also participated in Special Olympics, where she enjoyed staying active, competing, making friends, and sharing many special experiences. Our family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the athletes, coaches, and volunteers within the Special Olympics community, with an extra heartfelt thank you to Santa Fe Special Olympics and the Rio Rancho Rockets. Your passion, kindness, and tireless efforts created opportunities, friendships, and memories for Grace that our family will always treasure.

Grace will be remembered for her joyful spirit, kind heart, beautiful smile, and the light she brought into every part of her life. Those who had the privilege of knowing Grace are better for having had her in their lives. Her love, laughter, and grace will continue to live on in the hearts and memories of everyone who knew and loved her.

Grace is survived by her sister, Jessica Cuff; brother-in-law, Kenny W. Cuff; nephews, Jeremy Soto, Kenneth P. Cuff, and Donovan Cuff; niece, Mikayla Soto; great-nephew, Rauri Soto; her father, Anthony Roybal; and her sister, Kaylee Roybal.

She is also survived by her aunt, Priscilla Hayes; cousin, Desiree and Martin Chavez and their children, Chris, Mariah, and Gabriel; David and Lisa Smith and their son, Logan; Darrell and Elizabeth Smith and their children; Toney Martinez and children, Tonio and Crisseta; Chris and Sandy Martinez and their children, Robert and Jacob; Andrea and Joe Maestas and their children; Vincent Roybal and family; Marlene Acosta and her son; along with many other family members, friends, and loved ones who will forever cherish her memory.

Grace was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Ann Martinez (1964–2020); her sister, Erica Ann Roybal (1975–2019); Brenda Hayes; Corrina Smith; Roberta Hayes; Seferina Maria Martinez; Isabel Roybal; Juan Roybal; and many other family members and friends we continue to be hold dearly in our hearts and memories.

Though we mourn the loss of Grace, we also celebrate the beautiful life God gave her and the tremendous amount of love and joy she brought into this world. Throughout her cancer journey, Grace fought courageously, with strength, integrity, and the same kind and open heart she carried throughout her life. Even during her own difficult journey, she formed connections and touched the lives of fellow cancer warriors along the way.

Grace's light may no longer be with us in the way it once was, but her graceful soul will continue to live through the people she loved, the lives she touched, and the memories we will carry with us forever. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever held in our hearts.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7

Our family extends our heartfelt gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and support staff at the New Mexico Cancer Center for the exceptional care, compassion, and kindness they showed Grace throughout her journey. Your care brought comfort not only to Grace, but to our entire family during some of our most difficult moments. We will forever be grateful for the dignity, compassion, and love you showed our entire family during some of our most difficult moments. We will forever be grateful for the dignity, compassion, and love you showed our Sunshine.

If you would like to assist with the funeral arrangements for our beloved Grace Roybal, the family is deeply grateful for your kindness and support during this time of loss. Contributions can be made by visiting Grace’s SupportNow page by copying and pasting the url listed below into your web browser:

https://www.supportnow.org/grace-ann-roybal

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation for your prayers, love, and compassion as they honor and remember the life and legacy of Grace Roybal.