Cuca Montoya Chrisman was born March 30,1948 to Refugio (Cuco) and Victoria Montoya and was the youngest of seven siblings. Her sister, Helen was sure that she was a boy and decided that they would name their new baby boy after their dad, Cuco. When she arrived she was a baby girl and Helen said that they are still naming her after their dad. Cuca loved her name and was so proud to be named and her dad and always said that it was a conversation starter. She had fond memories growing up in Bent, playing and picnics at the river, floating apples in the ditch, picking fruits and vegetables planted by her dad, packing and making jellies and jams with her mom, riding the school bus, listening to the radio, and playing 45 records with friends. 

She attended school at the Dudley School in Alamogordo, Mescalero and Tularosa Elementary School, Tularosa Jr. and High School.  She was the 1966 Homecoming Queen, and graduated high school in 1966. Reading her yearbooks was an absolute joy to see how many of her friends adored her.

Then she moved to El Paso to attend the International Business College earning a degree in Business/Secretarial.  There she met and married Joe Chrisman and had their daughter, Elizabeth.   She was a loving and caring mother. In 1970 she divorced and moved back to New Mexico to work as a waitress at the Summit Restaurant and was referred by her boss,  Mrs. Slade, to work with her husband at the Tularosa Public Schools.  She began her career as the secretary to the superintendent, Mr. Slade. Her co-workers went on to become dear friends that she treasured working with.  She was a role model to all the students that worked with her during the summer through the Work Study Program. During that time she met her life long companion, Chuck Harris. They had loving memories and enjoyed traveling with each other to: Hawaii, Louisiana, Alabama, Las Vegas, and both were big fans of following the Tularosa Wildcats to all of their away football games.  They didn’t miss a game. In 1987 she accepted a position at Eastern New Mexico State University-Roswell as the secretary to the Dean of Education.  Once again, forming lifelong friendships, impacting so many students, she retired in 1994. Most will remember her for her dedication, selflessness, and  pride she took in her career.  She was a do-er and everyone around her knew her for her work ethic. She moved back to Tularosa and in her freetime was an active member of the St. Francis Catholic Church in Tularosa, and enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren, spent time with family and friends, traveled, crocheted, played the slots at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino, read books, and cared for her plants-she had a green thumb! But that was not enough to keep her home, so then went back into the workforce where she worked two years as a nanny to two young boys and seven years at the Alamogordo Walmart and Alamogordo Employment Office. In 2015 she moved to South Dakota to live with her daughter to continue being the biggest cheerleader to her grandkids, Tiff, Sam, and Josh. She poured her heart and soul into loving her family. Her family admired and loved her dearly. After five years in SD, she also lived in Gilbert, AZ; Alamogordo, NM; and Denver, CO.  

While living in Denver, Colorado on Wednesday, August 28th at 6:00 pm she peacefully passed away surrounded by her daughter, grandchildren, and friends. Before she took her last breath, she opened her eyes for the last time, looking at her family and friends in the eyes as if to say good-bye.  It was just like her to leave us with one last kind-hearted look.

Her family will remember her for her contagious laughter, optimistic outlook, passionate and caring demeanor. She is loved and  will be missed by so many. Cuca was a great example of what a daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend should be. Her sense of humor, her smile, and unconditional love for her family, friends and the Dallas Cowboys will never be forgotten!

Cuca was preceded in death by her Parents, Cuco and Victoria Montoya, sisters Helen Herrera, and Anita Hicks, brothers Tony Montoya, Carlos Montoya, and Raymond Montoya, sister-in-law Julia Montoya, brothers-in-law Rufino Herrera and Al Hicks, nephews Albert Herrrera, James Montoya, Alfonso Montoya, and niece Julia Montoya. Cuca is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Maunu Granddaughter, Tiffany Maunu, and Grandsons, Samuel Maunu and Joshua Maunu, sister, Isabel Reynolds, brother-in-law Jesse Reynolds, and sister-in-laws; Maria Montoya and Connie Montoya.

Cuca Montoya Chrisman will be desperately missed by all those that she’s left behind. Our hearts are broken by her loss.  She was one-of-a-kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 19th, 2024 10:00 am, Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Bent, New Mexico. A noon lunch reception will follow Mass at Casa De Sueños, in Tularosa, New Mexico.

To order flowers for the service, please contact Alamogordo Flower Company directly at 575-434-2600