Hortencia Valenzuela

Hortencia Valenzuela, who was born September 17, 1944 in Chihuahua, Mexico to Julian and Hortencia Gutierrez, went home to be with her Lord Jesus on January 2, 2013 in Las Cruces, NM at Mountain View Regional Medical Center. Hortencia, or Tencha as she was known to many, was 68 years of age and lived most of her life in Las Cruces, NM. She married Roman Valenzuela, her "Honito", in Las Cruces on March 17, 1982 and shared nearly 20 fulfilling years with him before he preceded her in death in March, 2002. Tencha loved the Lord and lived for Him. She glorified Him through her caring disposition, gift of hospitality, and her sense of humor. Never could she pass a sweet child or someone whom she perceived was in need of human compassion without acknowledging them with a smile, a pinch of the cheek or even a gentle hug. She was very active in her church, Central Seventh Day Adventist, and passionately participated in their prison ministry for over 10 years. Family survivors include one daughter, Consuelo Patterson, and her husband, Chris, of Brownsville, TX and their daughters, Naomi, Alexandra, and Serena; one son, Ezequiel Bucci-Torres, and his wife, Kim, and their children, Zeke, Nate, Emma and Ben, of Albuquerque, NM; her mother, Hortencia Gutierrez, currently living at Mountain View Health Center in El Paso, TX; six brothers: Guillermo, Hector, Isaac, Paz, Aaron and Noel Gutierrez; four sisters: Irma Olivas, Beatriz Hernandez, Julieta Chavez, Ruth Ramirez; and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces. Preceding her in death were her husband, Roman Valenzuela; her father, Julian Gutierrez; five nephews: Alex Olivas, Jr., Luciano Olivas, Joshua Gutierrez, Jacob Gutierrez and Julian Olivas; and her sister-in-law, Josie Gutierrez. A memorial service will be held today, Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at Central Seventh Day Adventist Church, 240 Three Crosses Avenue, Las Cruces, NM with Pastor Hector Qui