Graciela Banda-Vargas "Gracie", was born September 23, 1968. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, December 1, 2023.

Gracie graduated from Manzano High School in 1986. She enjoyed sailing in her early years and was an avid fan of the Dodgers and Raiders, Gracie also enjoyed riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle.

She worked for Cigna Healthcare in Albuquerque for many years. She transferred to Phoenix, Arizona in 1998 and lived there for nearly 20 years before making her way back to New Mexico.

Her joy, smile and laugh were contagious, and she made friends wherever she went. She was dearly loved by her family and friends and she will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her father, Zeferino Banda Sr., and is survived by her mother, Nelda Banda of Albuquerque, NM; adult children, Hailea and Taylar Vargas of Arizona; brothers and sisters, Lorenzo Banda and his wife Sandra Banda of Peoria, AZ, Elisa Hidalgo and her husband Larry of Albuquerque, NM, Zeferino Banda Jr. and his wife Leslie Umphrey Banda of Chandler, AZ, Rachael Banda of Albuquerque, NM, Daniel Banda and his wife Lori Ann Banda of Albuquerque, NM;  nieces and nephews, Ashley Nichole Sanchez and her husband Chris Sanchez of Tolleson, AZ, Monica Hidalgo, Mario Hidalgo and his wife Lauren Hidalgo of Albuquerque, NM, Andrea Fortenberry and her husband Will Fortenberry of Queen Creek, AZ, Zeferino Banda III and his wife Alyssia Banda of Gilbert, AZ, Mariah Torres (God-daughter) and her husband Joey Torres of Albuquerque, NM, Eric Banda, Makayla Banda, Angel Gutierrez, Josh Gutierrez and his wife Emily of Albuquerque, NM. Gracie also had many great nieces and nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins, which she loved spending time with.

Services will be held at the Shrine of St. Bernadette Church, 11401 Indian School Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112 on Saturday, January 13th, 2024. A rosary will be recited at 10:00 - 10:30 am with non-communal Mass to be celebrated from 10:30-11:15. Interment services will then be held at Mt Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 from 12:00-12:30 pm with a celebration of life reception to follow at St. Bernadette's hall at 1:00 pm.