Erlinda B Apodaca

Erlinda B. Apodaca, 92 entered Heaven's Gates on March 18, 2022. Born in Arrey, New Mexico to Jos and Mariana Bencomo on January 16, 1930, Erlinda was the youngest of five children and the only daughter. When Erlinda was a toddler, her mother passed away and she was then raised by her uncle and aunt, Simn and Eliboria Grijalva along with their six children. She married Aristeo Apodaca on December 15, 1952. They started a family in Garfield where they lived and worked on their farm for 28 years. She served as a teacher's assistant at Arrey Elementary School for several years and enjoyed working with children. She enjoyed several creative and artistic pursuits including sewing, oil painting, cake decorating and baking. Erlinda also loved reading, attending activities at the Senior Center, playing cards, and Sudoku puzzles. She stayed in touch with friends and family through daily phone calls. Her annual Easter cook-outs were a time for celebrating her faith and family. In later life, Erlinda moved to Las Cruces to be near family and eventually moved to El Paso, Texas where she lived with her daughter Linda for several years until her passing. Erlinda was a devout Catholic with an unwavering faith in God. Prayer was part of her daily ritual. A prayer warrior, Erlinda included many in her prayers. Her faith and actions were instrumental in spreading devotion to our Lord through rosary and prayer groups. A compassionate and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, Erlinda's gentle nature touched many who will miss her deeply and carry her memory in their hearts. Erlinda faced and overcame life's challenges with quiet faith, strength, and grace. She fought and won over breast cancer in the 70's and navigated her way through deep sorrow after the death of her son, David and later her husband, Aristeo and son-in-law, Art Orozco. She always drew strength from her faith in God. Also, preceding her in death were her parents, Jos and Mariana Bencomo, brothers Eloy, Jos, Mauro, Elpidio Bencomo and foster parents Simn and Eliboria Grijalva, brothers Antonio, Joe, Jesus, and Herminio Grijalva. She is survived by adult children Danny (Mary), Dickie (Peggy) of Las Cruces, Lisa Girard (Jaye) of Rio Rancho, Linda Orozco of El Paso, TX, 9 grandchildren; Danny Boy, Chris, and Karen Apodaca, Melissa Girard, Robert, Kevin, Vanessa Apodaca, Amanda Corrales, and Andrea Gonzales, 25 great-grand-children, 6 great-great-grandchildren, two sisters; Mara Martinez of Scottsdale, AZ, Rosa Perez of Las Cruces, and Ophelia Watkins-Quiones of Las Cruces, who lived with the family for a few years. A rosary will be recited on April 7, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Purification Catholic Church in Doa Ana, New Mexico followed by the funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Internment of her cremains will be at a later date in Garfield, New Mexico.