Sally Maria Baca

Sally Maria Baca “Nanny”, age 85, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away on January 7, 2026, with her devoted grandson and granddaughter by her side. Sally was born on March 29, 1940, to Ruben and Antonieta Garcia in Rocky Ford, Colorado.

After graduating high school, Sally met her husband, Julian Baca, and they later wed in 1958. They had five beautiful children. Sally spent her life as a dedicated homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was known for her cooking. You could always depend on her having a pot of beans and chili on the stove. Her posole was legendary! She passed on her love for gardening and canning to her kids and grandkids. Any summer day you’d catch her barefoot in her garden, tending to her vegetables and flowers.

Sally and her family relocated from Denver to Belen in 1978. She and Julian were together in Belen until his passing in 2018. In 2023, Sally followed her grandson, Santiago’s prayer and moved to Oklahoma with Kaitlyn and her family. Once there, the 4 Generation Homestead was created, and Sally was the oldest member. Sally always knew the Lord, and she made the faithful decision to be baptized on July 29, 2024, at Shawnee Twin Lakes.

Sally was preceded in death by her loving parents, Ruben and Antonieta Garcia; her husband of 60 years, Julian Baca; brothers, Robert “Bobby” Garcia and Richard Garcia and sister, Irene Dunn.

Sally is survived by her five children: Elizabeth Baca and life partner Michael Sheridan, Renee Baca, Rebecca Lawson and husband Shane, Luis Paul Baca, and David Baca; four grandsons: Santiago Baca and wife Kaitlyn, Vicente Baca, Caleb Baca, and Micah Baca; great granddaughters from Santiago and Kaitlyn: Graycee Baca (who was the light of her life), Saidee Baca, and Paislee Baca; her Homestead family: Randy Hill and his wife Angela, Ryan Hill and his wife Ashley and their children: Lilly, Serenity, Austin and Nana Linda; brothers: John Garcia and his wife Jeanette, Albert Garcia, Dan Garcia and his wife Kathy; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In typical Sally fashion, we will be having dessert first, because that is how Sally lived her life. Sally was vibrant and loving. She will be missed tremendously. We have joy knowing we will see her again one day because of her love for our Lord. Through His blood she is healed. Psalm 71:9