Margaret Barela Acevez

Mrs. Margaret B. Acevez, 97, went home to be with our Lord in Heaven on Friday, August 22, 2025 peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family in Las Cruces, NM, on the day the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated. She was born on September 17, 1927 in Dona Ana, NM, to Juan and Dora Barela. Margaret was one of six children and spent her early childhood years in Dona Ana, NM, and later moved to Las Cruces, NM. She married the love of her life, Pablo Acevez on June 26, 1948. They were married 61 years.

She was an excellent cook, and her specialty was her red enchiladas, and was an immaculate homemaker. She had a great love for shopping and could spend hours on end without growing weary. The greatest legacy she left her children was her faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. She had a great devotion and love for praying the Holy Rosary up until her very last days. She was her children’s greatest cheerleader, always celebrating even the smallest achievements. Margaret had a great love for spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She also loved jitterbugging with her late husband of 61 years, and she loved camping and travelling. She was known by her children as “Mama Bear’ because of her strong sense of protectiveness and devotion to her cubs.

Margaret is survived by her children, one son Ernest Acevez of Las Cruces; three daughters, Beatrice (Bea) Melendrez and husband Alfred of Las Cruces; Bernice Medrano and husband Carlos of Albuquerque; Dora Padilla and husband Steve of Las Cruces. Also surviving are grandchildren Valerie White and husband Loring; Diane Melendrez and Sam Cabrera; Carlos J. Medrano; Gabriel Medrano and wife Danuta; Sebastian Medrano; Stephanie Padilla; Lisa Vega and husband Ben Vega; Eric Padilla and wife Lisa. Fifteen great grandchildren Meagan Flesh and husband Kyle; Madeline Crouse; Kelly White; Seth White and wife Cassidy; Natalie Medrano; Andres Medrano; Jayden Gallegos; Elijah Medrano; Grace Gallegos; Anthony Zapien; Tyanna Zapien; Steven Padilla; Sierra Padilla, Jocelyn Padilla; and Anahi Padilla. Two great-great granddaughters, Emerson Paige Flesch and Charlie Mae White.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Pablo Acevez; her brothers Carlos Barela and wife Maria; Daniel Barela; her sisters Katarina Barela; Elisa Bryan and husband Sydney; Amalia Espinosa and husband Richard.

We are eternally grateful for the tender loving care she received from the amazing caregivers from Ambercare, and the loving nurses from Mesilla Valley Hospice who cared for our precious Mama in her last days.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025 at Getz Funeral Home Chapel where the Prayer Vigil (Rosary) will follow at 7 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be at 10 AM on Tuesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral, 1240 S. Espina. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Officiating will be Fr. Alejandro. Serving as pallbearers will be Ernest Acevez, Carlos J. Medrano, Gabriel Medrano, Sebastian Medrano, Eric Padilla, and Loring White. Honorary pallbearers are Alfred Melendrez, Steve Padilla and Carlos Medrano.