Louisa B. Valdespino, 102, a lifelong resident of Deming, New Mexico, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 5, 2026, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family and friends.
Born in Chamberino, New Mexico, to Julian B. Bernal and Ramona Garcia Bernal. Louisa spent her life in the Deming farming community, where she became known for her strong farm businesses, her generosity, creativity, and deep Catholic faith. A devoted mother, grandmother, great‑grandmother, and great‑great‑grandmother. She touched countless lives through her kindness, wisdom, and willingness to help anyone in need.
One of Louisa's most enduring expressions of faith was the hundreds of cord rosaries she handcrafted and gifted to family, friends, and her church. She also generously supported St. Ann's and Holy Family Catholic Churches when she had the production and yield of her farming annual harvested crops.
Louisa was a successful farmer with an extraordinary business mind, leading teams to cultivate her crops and earning numerous blue ribbons at the county fair for her produce, canned goods, and livestock. She and her husband Ruben established Valdespino Nurseries, providing hundreds of evergreen trees to families, churches, and public spaces across Deming and Luna County—many of which still stand today as part of her living legacy.
A talented artisan, Louisa created gemstone jewelry displayed at First Savings Bank and other local businesses. She was also an exceptional cook who preserved the harvest from her farms and celebrated each of her eight children's birthdays with a homemade cake, a tradition her family treasures. Her resilience, strength, and ability to face challenges with calm determination will be remembered always, as she never met a stranger.
Louisa is survived by her children: Johnny Madrid of Las Cruces; Marion Madrid Marrujo & (Dan) of Sacramento, CA; Irene Baeza of Deming; Ruben Valdespino Jr. & (Toni) of Gallup; Danny Valdespino of Chamberino; along with many grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and great‑great‑grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Rudolfo Bernal, Maria Bernal Lopez, and Hermelinda Bernal; by her beloved husbands Ernesto Madrid, Hilario Baeza, and Ruben Valdespino; and her sons Ernesto Madrid, Julian "Lon" Madrid, and Eddie "Lalito" Baeza.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Madrid, Michael Marrujo, Daniel Marrujo, John Michael Madrid, Julian Valdespino, and Danny Valdespino. Honorary pallbearers will be Marion Marrujo and Irene Baeza.
Louisa's 102 years were filled with faith, family, hard work, service, and love. Her legacy lives on in the trees she planted, the rosaries she crafted, the food she preserved, and the countless people she helped throughout her long and beautiful life.
Visitation will be beginning Tuesday, September 15, 2026 from 9 to 11 o'clock in the morning at Baca's Funeral Chapel where the recitation of the Holy Rosary will be recited at 11 led by Patsy Leyba. The Mass of Christian burial will then be celebrated at 12 at St. Ann Catholic Church followed by the rite of committal and interment at Mountain View Cemetery. Fr. Francis Gyau will be officiating.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Louisa, please visit the Sympathy Store so her legacy lives on.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Louisa B. (Bernal) Valdespino, please visit our floral store.
