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Rita Maria Garcia, 85, a longtime resident of Albuquerque, died Tuesday, June 19, 2001 after a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer. Rita was born January 3, 1916 in Vera Cruz, Mexico. She is survived by her children, Gloria M. Roney, Frank Ruben Murillo, and Robert B. Murillo and wife, Carolyn, all of Albuquerque; 13 grandchildren, Rita Brockhoff and husband, Peter, Linda McAteer and husband, Jack, Joe Roney and wife, Yvette, Randy Roney, Debra Faris and husband, Ricky, Steven Murillo, Teresa M. Farkash and husband, Michael Murillo and wife, Sybil, Kathy Stetzer and husband, Glenn, Sharon Rett and husband, Gary, Leslie Murillo, Sandy Murillo Swierc and husband, William, and John Patrick Murillo and wife, Lindy; 27 great grandchildren, Erica, Ian, Adrian, Megan, Jonathan, Daniel, Ryan, Cori, Seth, Roxanne, Carina, David, Robert, Sarah, Natalie, Jason, Jennifer, Justin, Amy, Christopher, Stephanie, Alex, Ryan, Melissa, Whitney, Nicholas, and Kaycee; and four great-great grandchildren, Daniel, Savannah, and Trinity; two brothers, Leo Garcia and wife, Mary and Rudolfo (Rudy) Garcia and wife, Angelita; She was preceded in death by her husband, Juan Manuel Murillo in 1946; son, John Thomas Murillo in 1988; siblings, Isabell Muniz in 1984, Salvador Garcia in 1988, Eloisa Garcia in 1994, Guadelupe Esquivel in 1995, and Rose Franco in 1965. Rita was especially close with two nephews whom she grew up with and who were more like her brothers; Refugio (Roy) Beserra and wife, Mela and Manuel Beserra and wife, Jenny; and a very special friend, Nancy Jo Archer. In 1929, her mother, Carmen started the El Modelo Tortilla factory from her home, using the earnings of her three teenage daughters and Rita who was a mere 10 years old in order to help support the family, later Rita was forced to quit school before completing her elementary education. In 1947, the family expanded the business into a large factory, specializing in take home Mexican food. She worked at the Alvarado Hotel providing laundry service until age 14, when she married Juan Manuel Murillo, November 17, 1930. Rita worked with her husband at The Right Way Shoe Stop on North Fourth until his death in 1946, whereby she took over the family shoe repair business. She successfully managed the shoe shop; single handedly raised four children on her own, while simultaneously attending beauty school at night. In 1955, Rita passed the beauty school-licensing test (which required an 11th grade education) and was hired to run the largest beauty shop in Albuquerque,"Tip to Toe Salon". After eight years of dedicated service, she was ready to open her own beauty shop, located on San Mateo. She eventually sold the beauty shop and went to work for Woolco Department Store in the early 1970's, where she was a Cosmetics Manager for several years. She retired in 1983 at the age of 67. Rita was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and an avid participant in their Senior Citizens Center. She enjoyed her many friends at the Senior Center, who were a source of great enjoyment and camaraderie up until her death. Probably one of her most treasured roles in life was that of beloved Grandmother. She was a"Grandma" to all that knew her, and she adopted many individuals in her loving and caring way. Her kitchen was the meeting place for the entire family¯especially during the holidays. Rita will be dearly missed by all those who loved her.¯She was a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She touched many lives with her love and she will be fondly remembered as an incredibly strong woman that never gave up---no matter how difficult the challenge. Rosary will be recited Thursday, June 21, 2001, 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, with Deacon Al McLane reciting. Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 22, 2001, 9:00 a.m., at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 11401 Indian School Rd. NW, with Father Domingo Gumpal, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Friends may visit French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, Thursday, 5:00 p.m. until Rosary.
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