Mary Stella Garcia

Mary Stella Garcia passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026 in Grants Pass, Oregon, where she had resided since February 2020 alongside her daughter and son-in-law. Formerly of Tucumcari, New Mexico, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mary leaves behind a rich legacy rooted in family, faith, and dedicated service.

The eldest child of the late Adolfo and Ventura (Martínez) Baca, Mary grew up attending St. Anne’s Parochial School. Over the course of her life, she married, raised a large family, and lived in various communities across the region. Professionally, she earned her Dietary License and enjoyed a long career at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, where she managed the Pavilion and later worked in the bakery before her retirement.

A woman of deep spiritual commitment and active community involvement, Mary was a member of St. Annie's Carmelita’s Catholic Prayer Warriors in Tucumcari, NM, a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary in Tucumcari, and a member of the Tulsa Green Country Angel Group in Tulsa, OK. In her personal time, she found great joy in cooking and gardening. Above all, Mary cherished her expanding family; when her four great-great-grandchildren were born, she celebrated the extraordinary milestone of five living generations.

Mary is survived by her children: Beverly Duran Ennis of Tulsa, OK; Gene E. Duran of Athol, MA; Katherine M. Williams of Grants Pass, OR; Barbara K. Duran of Terlton, OK; and Richard E. Duran of Wichita, KS. She is also survived by her living siblings: sisters Mary Elebario and Johnnie Marie Santos, both of Tucumcari, NM; and brothers Frank Baca and Leonard Baca, both of Mulvane, KS. Her memory endures through her 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolfo and Ventura Baca; her former spouses, Johnny Duran, Joe Fitzjarrald and Delfinio Garcia; her sisters Patsy Baca and Santana Hernandez; and her brothers Modesto Baca, Tony Baca, Victor Baca, and Jose (Jim) Baca.

Memorial donations may be made in Mary’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Please share a memory of Mary in her Guestbook.