Annelise Espinoza

Annelise B. Espinoza, also known to friends and family as Anne, was 71 at the time of her passing in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She passed away on Monday, December 2, 2024, which was also her Wedding Anniversary. If she had not been preceded in death by her husband, Edward E. Espinoza, they would have celebrated their 52nd Anniversary on the day. 

Annelise was the only child born to Eulogio E. Barreras and Elisa Montoya Barreras in El Paso, Texas, on January 6, 1953. She lived in Mesquite, New Mexico, during her childhood and early adulthood. Annelise graduated from Gadsden High School in 1970. Annelise also attended New Mexico State University after high school. 

Annelise married her high school sweetheart, Jose Eduardo Espinoza, on December 2, 1972, at San Jose Church in La Mesa, NM. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother until she began work as an Instructional Assistant for Canutillo Independent School District. She continued to work for the district in other capacities until she retired after 32 years. At the time of her retirement, she worked at the district’s Central Office.

Annelise was a devout Catholic. She was a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She would volunteer to sit in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel there. She enjoyed helping her friend Pawn Stewart with other parish activities. She also enjoyed contributing to and assisting with the various Sunday church fundraisers alongside her Aunt Rose, friend Elisa Flores and others at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Mesquite, New Mexico. 

Annelise enjoyed several hobbies. She loved to cook and bake from an early age, taught by her great grandparents, Carmen and J.D. Montoya. She continued this love of cooking and baking throughout her lifetime. Her friends and family were familiar with her ability to handle the hottest red chile, green chile, and salsas she could find. She collected Dr. Pepper memorabilia and loved finding unique pieces. She enjoyed sewing, making clothes, reading and completing word searches. She also enjoyed shopping, going to the movies, and sharing meals with friends and family. She enjoyed getting together with a group of retired coworkers from CISD occasionally.

Annelise is survived by her only daughter, Valerie Anne Espinoza, of El Paso, Texas. She is also survived by her Aunt Rose Montoya of Mesquite, NM, and her children Christine Mahan, Brenda Montoya, and Robert Montoya, all of Las Cruces, NM. Other close cousins include Andrea Zamora, Bernadette Nevarez, and Steve Gomez of Albuquerque, NM. Her surviving family by marriage includes sisters-in-law Mary Alice Espinoza of La Mesa, NM, and Yvonne Segda of Dayton, Ohio and brother-in-law Gabriel Espinoza, Jr., of Las Cruces, NM.

She was preceded in death by her husband Edward (August 24, 2001), her mother Elisa (March 26, 2017), Uncle R.A. Montoya (August 31, 2011), Aunt Cecilia Gomez (May 14, 2017) and her father Eulogio (January 1, 1996). Both of her husband’s parents, Bertha E. Espinoza (November 26, 2022) and Gabriel C. Espinoza (December 4, 2021) also preceded her in death.

Her daughter Valerie would like to extend her deepest thanks and gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, and various therapists at Memorial Medical Center, the Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern New Mexico, the Sierra Campus of the Hospitals of Providence, The Arbors at Home -Vista Living Care, Sierra Home Health Care and La Posada/Mesilla Valley Hospice & Palliative Care for all their care, concern, support, and assistance throughout their journey together.

Annelise’s services will be held at St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Thursday, December 19, 2024. The Rosary will be held at 10 am, followed by the Mass at 10:30 am. After the church services, she will be laid to rest beside her husband Edward at Masonic Cemetery in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 

Annelise’s arrangements have been entrusted to Getz Funeral Home.