With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Grace, a beloved mother to 4 children, 95, of Arroyo Seco, NM, passed away at home with her family on October 23, 2026. She was a woman of extraordinary beauty, strength, and generosity. She lived almost a full century, and her memory will forever live in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

Grace was born in San Cristobal, NM, in 1931 to Jose and Isabel Cordova, and was the middle child of six siblings. Grace attended school in San Cristobal, NM until 3rd grade. She was taken out of school and was taught at a very young age to cook, clean, and take care of her siblings. She also worked very hard on the family ranch. She was taught morals, manners, hard work, and humility. She would do anything for her family and way of life.

In 1949, Grace married Jose Abel Garcia, and together they

raised their daughters and built a family rooted in love, hard work, and traditional values. She was a devoted mother to Teresa, Olympia, Lina, and infant daughter Francis. They also created a legacy that would grow a beloved business in the heart of Arroyo Seco, Abe’s Cantina y Cocina. It became the heart of the community, where stories were shared, friendships were formed, and generations gathered. The business is a huge pillar of the community and has helped neighbors and strangers in many ways.

Grace was known for selling Avon throughout the Taos County community for 60 years. She loved all the beauty products and jewelry from the company. She brought that beauty to people with style, grace, and most of all her heart. Grace always supported the community and her customers.

Throughout her life, Grace loved cooking sopapillas, tortillas, bread, chili, empanadas, and all types of Northern NM food. She loved spending time with friends and family, and the dinner table was always a place of laughter and love. She was the inspiration behind the great-tasting food at Abe’s Cocina. Her daughters, Lina and Pimpa, have carried those traditions for the last 45 years.

Grace was an avid housewife and also loved taking care of all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also took care of her father, Jose (Joe) & Isabel all their lives; she tried to be the best daughter she could be to both of them.

Grace enjoyed her candies and cookies of all flavors. She loved flowers, hummingbirds, and most of all her Lord and Savior. She taught herself to read and write so she could study the word of the Lord and run her Avon business. Her love for the Lord was the foundation of her life, guiding every step she took. She loved playing the slots at the casinos and the lottery scratchers. She traveled to many places: Mexico, Europe, Florida, and California, but mostly back and forth to Colorado to see all her brothers and sisters who resided there.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband Abe Garcia, daughters Olympia Garcia (Lucio) and Francis, parents Joe and Isabel Cordova, siblings Felipe Cordova (Cordy), Corelea Arrellano (Nicanor), Baldamar Cordova (Ida) , Dolphina Lovato (Levi), and Jesus Cordova (Vicky). Many nephews, nieces, and friends also.

She is survived by daughters Teresa and Lina (Gerald); grandchildren Shannon Struck (Allen), Anthony Garcia, Gabriel Valenzuela (Monica), Marcos Struck (Debra), Angela Romero (Billy); great-grandchildren Shane Apodaca, Isabela Morris (Josh), Miquela Struck, Marissa Martinez, Alisa Valenzuela, Jacob Valenzuela, Billy and Amadeo Romero. We will never forget the love she brought to our lives.

Funeral Services will be held on November 14th, 2026 at Rivera's Funeral Home. Services will begin at 11 AM with burial to follow at Arroyo Seco Cemetery.

The family of Graciola "Grace" Garcia have granted Rivera Family Funeral Home the honor of serving them.