Maria Refugio Garcia

Maria R. Garcia (Cuca), was born July 4, 1933 in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Her parents, Cruz Delgado and Dionicio Lozoya, moved to Bella Vista when she was five years old. There she attended school and helped out at her Parents “tiendita.” As a teen she helped clean the Community Hall (included a billiard) so she would sneak in a game of pool (for girls were not allowed to play pool back then). It was not until her son bought a pool table that her family discovered that Cuca was a pool shark!

In 1947 the family returned to their home town for a few years and eventually made the final move to the border city of Ciudad Juarez in the 1950’s. Cuca readily adapted and hired on as a labor and delivery nurse at Clinica Casa Hogar. After a couple of years, Cuca moved to El Paso, to a rented apartment on Overland Street. Her first job was at The Hollywood Café on San Antonio Street. There, Cuca met and gave her heart to the love of her life, Leopoldo (Polo).

Cuca accepted a cooking job with Dr. Wiseburn and his wife. The Wiseburn’s estate was located at the distinguished Kern Place. Alongside of Mrs. Wiseburn, Cuca prepared meals never imagined and holiday feasts that could feed an army. Exposed to costly, high-end ingredients, Cuca soon discovered a passion for cooking. She quickly grasped the idea of balancing acids, sweets, and spicy flavors to create delicious meals. She never followed a recipe, made everything from scratch and certainly wasn’t afraid of a little lard. One would always find Cuca in the kitchen “cooking up a storm.”

While most of her life, Cuca was a content homemaker, she did go out and joined the work force. In the 1960’s she took a sewing job at a manufacturing company. Then in the mid 1970’s, she and daughter, Susie, worked at Ashley Food Company, a chile manufacturer. Their job was canning long green chile as it came in by way of conveyor belt. The family promptly nicknamed them “Las Chileras!”

Cuca had a distinctive style all her own. She was known for the pleasant fragrance of Ceasars Women, her extensive wardrobe which included a scarf collection, loved embellished evening gowns, had an ample variety of jewelry, frequently visited the beauty shop for her updo and changed nail polish upon first chip. She spent endless hours at the kitchen table meditating over word search puzzles and coloring books. She loved music, collected 45 records and seeing her dance danzones with Leopoldo was inspirational.

Cuca was a gift from God to all who knew her -- kind, compassionate, and a strong woman. She gave to those in need, never arrived empty handed, gave authentic compliments, forgave easily, spoke faithfully and sacrificed herself for the benefit of others.

Most of all, Cuca was devoted to her family. She is fondly remembered for her storytelling of her childhood memories. She enjoyed family camping trips and snow play in Ruidoso since she grew up in a similar place. At harvest time she often visited her Chihuahua family, looking forward to those freshly picked apples. As her kids married and moved out of town she made frequent trips to Las Vegas and California. Needless to say, she enjoyed the slot machines and not only visited every amusement park, but rode the rides as well.

Leopoldo and Cuca had seven children, Javier Garcia (married to Socorro); Rosa Torres (Santiago), Susie Flores (Francisco), Amanda Cervantes (Ramon), Pat Garcia, Leo Garcia (Rosa) and René Garcia (Marcela). The Garcia family has multiplied and now has 16 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren.

Cuca maintained a strong, loving relationship with her siblings, Belem Mendoza, Guillerma Merancio † Jesus Lozoya † and their families. She formed a special bond with her large family †, and always maintained close family ties with those of her generation: Ernesto Lozoya, Ninfa Borunda, Delfina Lozoya, Lupe Zavala, Jesusita Beltran and her lifelong friend, Mary Goodman.

In light of the pandemic, Cuca’s family will hold a celebration of life on Independence Day. This would pay tribute to and celebrate the life and spirit of their loved one, Cuca, who was their 4th of July Queen!