Debbie Elaine Radcliffe
Three years have passed since Debbie Elaine Radcliffe, a lifelong resident of Albuquerque, went home to the Lord on Friday, July 31, 2020 at the age of 70. Post-pandemic, family and friends will gather Saturday, July 29 at 10am at El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church to celebrate Debbie’s life and legacy.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Pablo and Lucina (Aragon) García. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Tom; her children, Tomás Radcliffe (Erin), Elena Ruiz (Carlos), and Elisa Radcliffe (Angelina); four grandchildren: Adya and Maeve Radcliffe, Diego and Marisa Ruiz; her brother, Paul García (Bridget); and goddaughters, Kara Garcia and Ravae Tenorio.
Debbie graduated from Valley High School and attended New Mexico Highlands, where she met Tom. After marrying, they lived briefly in Gallinas Canyon, near Las Vegas, New Mexico, in an adobe house near an ice pond, a time in her life that she remembered fondly. After returning to Albuquerque, Debbie worked for many years at Albuquerque National Bank before working for PNM, where she was honored upon retirement for 30 years of dedicated service.
Many will recall Debbie for her distinctive laugh, her warm and optimistic demeanor, her strength in overcoming adversity, and her pineapple upside-down cakes, one of which sold for $100 at a church auction. However, she will be remembered most for her fierce love and generosity to her family, as well as for her service to her church, El Buen Samaritano United Methodist, where she was baptized 70 years ago and attended regularly throughout her life. Above all, Debbie loved being close to her family and going to Dukes and Isotopes games. Her favorite traditions were taking her grandchildren to the State Fair and Nutcracker Ballet each year, as well as cooking out at Las Huertas every Labor Day. Debbie was a selfless mother who never missed her children’s games or performances, and, through her and Tom’s encouragement and support, each of her three children earned a Master’s Degree. Debbie loved and cared for many dogs through the years (she was especially fond of terriers) and said she believed when she passed they would be there to welcome her. Celebration of Life service will be July 29, 2023 at 10am at El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church, 700 Granite Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. A reception will follow the service in the church’s social hall.