
6 November 1925 - 28 October, 2021
A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest.
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear and beloved mother and grandmother, Benigna Ponce Garcia, at the age of 95, surrounded by her beloved family. She was born and raised in Deming later moving to Las Cruces in 1967. She was a member of the Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents Miguel and Josefa Ponce, two brothers Manuel and Gerardo Ponce, three sisters, Ofelia Garcia, Blaza Almeraz and Mercedes Fajardo; and grandson Bill Vandergriff. She was the last survivor of the six siblings.
Those left to mourn her passing include daughters Dolores Selves (Tom)and Mary Lou Vandergriff (Larry); seven grandchildren Michael Selves (Louisa), Shelley Valencia (Bobby), Emily Crespin (Bryan), Amy Vandergriff, Oriana Reyes, and Nova Reyes; nine great grandchildren Tim Klaus, Cori Zumar, Ariana Valencia, Isela Vandergriff, Henry and Nolan Crespin, Scarlett Reyes, Enrique Castillo, Jr., and Dash Reyes-Herrera.
Grandma Benny, as she was fondly called, was a very generous and loving person who had a great love for sewing and gardening. Her greatest joy was sewing for her family as evidenced by the beautiful wedding dresses and all the clothes she made for her daughters; afghans, crocheted doilies, doll clothes and handsewn crafts for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her 80s and 90s she was still hand embroidering many kitchen towels that her family will enjoy for years to come. She was a hard worker, having worked in a laundry folding sheets since the age of fourteen and for over 25 years at local cleaners as a seamstress and pressing silks and wedding dresses. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her family. She will be greatly missed by all her family.
Special thanks to the staff of Kindred Hospice in Las Cruces, NM, Melissa Reyna, Marie Zembas and Fr. Yossi, for the compassionate and caring support shown to Miss Benny and our family.
Services will be on Friday November 5, 2021 at St Ann Catholic Church, 400 S. Ruby Street, Deming, NM. Viewing will begin at 9 am with the rosary to follow at 10 am. Funeral mass will begin at 11 am with concluding services and interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Deming, NM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels and Mimbres Crematory.