Longtime New Mexico state Sen. Mary Jane Garcia dies at age 87; champion of children, families, history

Source: Associated Press

Longtime New Mexico state Sen. Garcia dies at age 87; champion of children, families, history

Updated 2:58 PM EST, January 6, 2024

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Mary Jane Garcia, a former state senator who served 24 years in the New Mexico Legislature, where she was known as a champion of historic preservation, families and children, has died. She was 87.

Garcia, a Democrat who served as majority whip during one stretch, represented District 36, including Doña Ana County and Las Cruces, from 1988 to 2012.

She died peacefully while surrounded by her family on Friday after entering hospice care in December, the county said in a statement on behalf of her family.

“Her community service extended across many areas of advocacy to include at-risk youth programs, animal rights, border health issues, education, historic preservation projects, human trafficking, subdivision, and welfare reform,” the county said.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/garcia-new-mexico-obit-legislature-las-cruces-c565c5674a31ebead48a6102a7b102e6