Placida Gurule- 1932 - 2023

Placida Gurule, our beloved mother was called home on April 23, 2023 and she had just celebrated her 91 ^st birthday. She went peacefully in her home, surrounded by loved ones throughout the day. She was lovingly known as Bama by almost everyone except our uncle Phil who affectionately called her Pajara. In the past 16 years, her "bonus" daughters in Nevada, called her Patty Cakes, which made her smile. A longtime resident of Albuquerque, she was born in Cabezon, New Mexico and later lived near Prewitt with her family.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents, Clorinda and Rosendo Garcia as well as all of her siblings; Ruben, Irene, her brother who died at 10 months old, Tony, Crisostomo, Lizardo, Marcella, Rosendo Jr and Gonzalo, and by her son in-law, Jimmy Trujillo.

She leaves behind her four children; Henry Mora (Susan) and his son Macario; daughter, Clorinda and her children Donovan, Addi and Rozlynn; Debbie Trujillo and her son Jaime and his children Anthony, Joshua, Donovan, Zachariah and Madison; daughter, Cordilia and her daughter Jayden; Donna Baca and her daughter Melissa and her children, Daniel, Jasmine, Ernie and Estevan; her son, Adam and his children, Adam Jr., Maddie and Matteo; Sarah Baca-Schneider (Mitch) and her son Angelo and his children, Cody, Norah and Angel baby; sons, Kyle and Bradley and his children, Mason and Lilly. She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

It's challenging to sum up a life especially such a long life, in just a few short paragraphs. So instead, I'll give a bit of a synopsis of it. This strong, fiercely independent spirited woman loved to dance, socialize and listen to music. She was a generous woman and a strict but loving mother. She enjoyed time with friends and making new ones in her many years as a waitress at The Liberty Café, Lindy's, Highway Host and others. She was working at Lindy's when the riots were going on and was thankful the crowd went down the block before reaching the restaurant. The second close call at a different restaurant, was being held up at gunpoint and the entire staff being put in the freezer unharmed. Thankfully, she retired from waitressing a short time after that.

As the youngest child growing up in the 30's-40's she began working at age 12 in order to continue going to school when it closed down in Cabezon. She was forced to leave home and became a "nanny" to a toddler in exchange for room and board, near her school. She was married for a short time and became a mother at a young age; relying on her mother to assist with his care. Smart and determined, she created a life that was uniquely her own and even tried her hand at running a restaurant with her mother's help in the kitchen. She soon determined the long workdays and sleeping at the restaurant to keep up, was taking too much time away from her son, and not bringing forth the results she needed. As a single mother, she continued working hard to keep her family fed. When she remarried, she had her three daughters.

Of all her jobs over the years, her favorite ones were taking care of her grandchildren, when she was able to. They were able to know the more playful side of their Bama, because with them, she got to enjoy a bit of a childhood she didn't get to have (especially with the great grands). Later, when the grandkids were grown and as a senior citizen, she worked as a Foster Grandparent for special needs children and a Senior Support Volunteer for the City of Albuquerque. "She was the first recipient of the Outstanding Senior Companion Volunteer Award, presented quarterly by the City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs. It recognizes individuals who provide outstanding volunteer service to senior adults in this community." She loved her work and this award was just icing on the cake for her; she was proud to have received it. Placida was driving well into her 80's; loved flying and even traveled to the Oregon Coast and stood on the beach looking out and said "es un gran dios que creo todo esto".

She remained active until debilitating chronic pain and macular degeneration curtailed her lifestyle. It didn't stop her from traveling back and forth to Nevada to be with her final partner and his family. She had so much love to give, and received it with open arms. During the course of her decades long life, she was married to Ted Mora, Herminio Baca, Florencio Gurule and her partner of 16 years, Martin Tomas Gonzales who all preceded her in death.

Over the past 6 months, we were granted the honor of time to properly say good-bye. Together we created special memories that will bring comfort in the years ahead. In the spirit of mama's great faith in God, we can take comfort in knowing he is walking beside us as we live "Un Dia a La Vez!"

Placida's Life Celebration will be held on Friday, May 12 ^th , 2023 at San Jose de Los Duranes Mission Catholic Church located at 2110 Los Luceros Rd. NW, 87104. Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with a Reception following at the Parish hall. The interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Cemetery for anyone who would like to attend.