Irene Rosalie Banegas

Irene Rosalie Banegas was born on October Eighth nineteen forty-four to Candelario(CY) Banegas and Isabel Montes in Las Cruces New Mexico, and she was called home during the early hours of Friday the fifteenth, two thousand twenty-five. There was a light rain and overcasting clouds that welcomed her. It was a beautiful morning. Momma was the toughest woman I've ever known. I can honestly say I never heard her complain about anything other than the salsa not being hot enough, or if the enchiladas didn't have enough onion on them. She gave and she gave because that's who she was. She donated her time and charity to Mesilla Valley Hospice, and was steadfast in her servitude to Perpetual Adoration at Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her faith in our Lord had so much impact on the way she raised her children, and all of us are so thankful for the examples she led by. Irene was born and raised here in Las Cruces, but her heart lived in Waynesboro Pennsylvania. In nineteen-eighty my father got offered a job there and when they went to visit my mom fell in love with the town and called it home. It was there that she pursued her passion for painting. When she wasn't clipping coupons and hunting for clearance priced food to feed six children she was teaching art at a crafts store. When we returned to Las Cruces years later she opened up her own place called the Lil Country Goose where she sold her art, and continued to teach classes. As her children grew up she never stopped being a Mom, and not just to us, but to anybody that needed a Mom. The door to her house and to her fridge were always open just like her heart. We'd say, "I love you Mom" and she'd say, "I love you more". 

Thank you for being the best Mom ever...

Irene will greatly be missed by many. She is survived by her sisters, Patricia Garcia, Kathie Banegas/Lopez, Teresa Daumueller, and her brother Alvin Banegas. Her sons, Chris Navarro, Paul and Cindy Navarro, Jon Navarro, Tim and Gina Navarro, Luke Navarro, and her daughter Lisa Navarro. Her many grandkids, Andrew, Amber, Sarah, Libby, Jason, Suzanna, Ella, Drew, Anthony, Ezmae, and Nikolas.

A public viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m on Wednesday, September the third, followed by a rosary at 10:30 a.m. and church services at 11:00 a.m. all at Saint Genevieve Catholic Church. 100 S. Espina St, Las Cruces, NM 88001.