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GARCIA -- Chris Nunn Garcia, 62, of Villanueva, NM, died of lung cancer Sunday, July 23, 2006, in Albuquerque, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law. She died peacefully, with her husband, mother, and children at her bedside. She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother, and also as a valuable and dedicated colleague. Born Susan Christopher Nunn in Detroit, MI on October 23, 1943 to Guy Theodore and Jeanne Marie Nunn, Chris began her distinguished career as a student, starting at Cass Technical High School in Detroit and Goddard College, VT, and then-after the birth of three children-she graduated from the University of New Mexico (BA with distinction, 1975). She later received a Ph.D. in natural resources economics and law from UW Madison. Chris worked in academics, public policy research, and community service, all of which she pursued with her characteristic charm and single-minded devotion. Of one project in which she was involved, a colleague remarked "Chris was recorder, institutional memory, and conscience." An award-winning teaching professor and highly regarded multi-disciplinary academic, Chris built many community projects, including founding the New Mexico Regional Water Planning Dialogue and running several major projects for the UNM Law School's Utton Center for Transboundary Resources. Chris was curious and inquisitive and threw herself into everything she touched. This was true in her professional work as well as her friendships, where she appreciated the value in everyone's unique position. Her genuine interest in the perspectives of others is why so many people felt that Chris understood them and why her work was often much larger than herself. During her nine years in Villanueva, where she met her husband, Albert, Chris also dedicated herself to serving her community, singing in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Choir, serving as the mayordoma of that church, and establishing the Villanueva Water Board. Her sister-in-law, Toni Vigil, said of her, "All of us in the valley fell in love with her. Every one." A dedicated mother and grandmother who enjoyed the great devotion of her children and grandchildren, Chris once said that the proudest, happiest, and most inspiring moment of her life was the birth of her first grandchild, Leona Jeanne Kenesson. Her loving care, her penetrating wit, and her open and explosive laugh are reflected in all her descendants; they and everyone else whose life she touched will sorely miss her. Chris Garcia is survived by husband, Albert Ernest Garcia; mother, Jeanne Marie Nunn; daughter, Christian Kenesson and her husband, Mark Liebert; son, Benjamin Jones and wife, Catherine Richard; son, Samuel Jones and wife, Kate Joly; brothers, Jeffrey Nunn and Michael Nunn; grandchildren, Leona Kenesson, Frank Liebert, Blaze Richard, Domingo Jones, and Zane Joly. The Rosary will be held Friday, July 28, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held the following day on Saturday, July 29, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. Both will take place at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Villanueva. A scholarship honoring Chris has been established at the UNM Water Resources Program. Contributions to the fund may be made and addressed to: Water Resources Program, MSC05 3110, Economics Bldg., 1 UNM, Albuquerque, NM 87131
        Published on: Thu July 27, 2006