Rita Hines

Rita M. Hines, of Artesia, NM, entered into eternal life on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at her daughter's home in Las Cruces, NM.

She was born August 4, 1952, in Artesia to Porfirio and Olivia Gill Balencia, who preceded her in death.

Rita attended college at ENMU in Portales, NM. Over the years she volunteered for CASA and the Artesia Public Library's summer reading program. She enjoyed spending time in prayer, fishing, traveling and visiting casinos with her sister and best friend, Ola. She enjoyed her work as a Human Resources Manager at PVT Cooperative, Inc. where she worked 27 years before retiring in January 2015. She valued the many friendships she developed with PVT coworkers, especially her special friend Sharon Smith, who preceded her in death. She was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Rita deeply loved her children and grandchildren, who along with her faith in God, were the most important things in her life. She leaves a strong legacy of faith to her children and grandchildren that was passed on to her by her own mother and grandmother. Her faith and personal strength were most evident over the past year of her life as she courageously lived and enjoyed her life to the fullest, creating lifelong memories with and for her family.

Rita is survived by her children, daughter Nina Salmon and son-in-law Daniel Salmon of Las Cruces, daughter Venesa Hines of Rio Rancho, NM, son-in-law Brandon Williams of San Antonio, TX, and son Andre' Hines and fiance Ashley Trahan of Artesia; grandchildren Olivia, Isaiah, and Marcus Hines, Kelbee and Jai'Lyn Williams, and Brittany, Brandon and Brooke Salmon; and four great grandchildren. Other survivors include sister Ola Gabauer of Santa Fe, NM, brothers Mike (Terry) Balencia of Artesia and Johnny (Eloisa) Balencia of Carlsbad, NM, sisters Tina (Henry) Trevino of Lovington, NM and Tonie Franco of San Antonio, TX, brother-in-law Joseph Lopez of Carlsbad, and sisters at heart Nancy Haralson-Hines and Rachel Samora; and numerous nieces and nephews. Other special people in her life included Denasia Aguilar, Pete Esquibel, and nieces Sheila Harris and Rene Noriega who helped care for her. She was followed in death by her sister Mary Lee Lopez.

The family would like to thank all who shared in her life, and valued her kind, beautiful spirit and her dry sense of humor. She was a special person who will be dearly and deeply missed. Thanks also to the staff at UNM Cancer Center, UNM Hospital and Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces for the wonderful care given to our dear mother.

Cremation has taken place under direction of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces. Memorial services are scheduled for Monday, September 19, 2016 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited at 9:30am followed by a funeral mass at 10am with interment of cremains to follow immediately at Woodbine Cemetery. Thank you to Terpening & Son Mortuary for their assistance.

Memorial gifts may be made in her name to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88005 or at www.mvhospice.org.

Service

Rosary

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
1111 N. Roselawn Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Monday, September 19, 2016
9:30 a.m.

Memorial Service

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
1111 N. Roselawn Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Monday, September 19, 2016
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Woodbine Cemetery
200 E. Hermosa Drive
Artesia, NM  88210

Memorial Contributions

Mesilla Valley Hospice
299 Montana Avenue
Las Cruces, NM  88005