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Stella C. Baca y Castillo, 91, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter, Mary Sanchez, on Sunday evening after a long illness. She was one of six daughters of Felipe Castillo, a longtime Belen blacksmith and Macedonia Castillo. She was born and raised in Pueblitos, NM, south of Belen, and up until two years ago, resided in La Costancia, NM. Stella and her sisters helped their father work the farm and the blacksmith shop. She often recalled her childhood very fondly, remembering the wonderful times she had with her sisters. They were gracious, loving sisters that enjoyed life to its fullest. Stella also spoke lovingly of Arculla, the mother that raised them after her birth mother passed away during the flu epidemic of 1918. As a young lady attending a teacher's convention, Stella met the man she was to spend the rest of her life with. In her early marriage, she substituted as a teacher along side her husband who was a teacher for the Belen School for over 42 years. As a loving and devoted mother and wife, she was always positive and full of spirit. She was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America, and a ladies card club which she enjoyed very much. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 67 years, Frank D. Baca in 2001; and her three sisters, Mary Aragon; Florela Baca; and Emma Mora. Stella is survived by her five children, Mary Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM; Albert Baca and his wife, Darlene of La Mirada, CA; Frank Baca and his wife, Jo of Fallbrook, CA; Louis Baca and his wife, Debbie of Albuquerque; and Angela Capshaw of Chicago, IL; 11 grandchildren, Claude Sanchez, Jr.; Connie Terry; Pauline Sanchez; Daniel Sanchez; Christopher Baca; Leslie Acevedo; Tracy Warman; Pamela Bennett; Michael Baca; Miranda Baca; and Crista Ciska; and 18 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Rebecca Abeyeta of Belen; and Fina Gilbert. She will be greatly missed by many people especially her sisters, her children, and all of her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at Romero Funeral Home beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited by Deacon Norbert Sanchez at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 14, 2003 at 9:00am at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church with Father Schultz officiating. Interment will be at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Cemetery. Her granddaughters will be her pallbearers, Connie Terry, Pauline Sanchez, Leslie Acevedo, Tracy Warman, Pamela Bennett, Miranda Baca, Crista Ciska. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM 87002.
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