Theresa Atencio

Theresa Sue Atencio

Age 72, Albuquerque, NM

May 16, 2025

Theresa Sue Atencio, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devoted wife, was

called home to be with Our Lord and Savior on the afternoon of May 16, 2025, surrounded by

her loving children, grandchildren, and close friends. She was 72 years old.

Born to Jack and Mary Whitfield on an Army base in Salzburg, Austria, Theresa was the eldest

of their children. As the daughter of a military family, she grew up with a sense of adventure and

resilience, often moving to different places. A lover of the outdoors, she developed a passion for

skiing and sports, and her boundless energy and curiosity defined her early years.

At the age of 18, Theresa drove cross-country in her beloved VW bug to attend college in

Colorado, where she pursued her dream of becoming a veterinary assistant. It was there that

she laid the foundation for the strong, independent woman she would become. Eventually, she

returned to Albuquerque, where she had attended high school at Highland High, and

reconnected with old friends who had become like family.

It was in Albuquerque that she met Robert Atencio, and together they built a loving family.

Theresa embraced motherhood with grace, raising their two children, Sonja and Carlos, and

welcoming Robert’s five children—Joseph, Mario, Ray, Monica, and Mary. She nurtured all of

them as her own, providing a home full of love, support, and a sense of belonging.

Despite the demands of motherhood, Theresa pursued higher education, attending evening

classes to earn a degree in business information systems. Her hard work and determination led

to a successful career as a Budget Analyst at Kirtland Air Force Base, where she took pride in

supporting numerous Air Force missions. Throughout her career, Theresa made lasting

friendships and earned the respect of all who worked with her.

In addition to her professional life, Theresa and Robert built a lawn service business together,

working tirelessly side by side. Even with the busy demands of work and family, she always

made time for her loved ones. Her ability to balance her professional, personal, and family life

was a testament to her strength and selflessness.

Theresa was a woman who loved life. Her adventurous spirit led her and Robert on trips across

the United States, to the Bahamas, and Mexico, creating unforgettable memories together. But

what she cherished most was the time spent with her family—whether it was teaching her

grandsons to ski, playing with Legos, or simply spending quality time in the great outdoors.

Her deep faith, instilled in her by her beloved mother Mary, was a cornerstone of her life.

Theresa had a special bond with her Baptist upbringing and often shared fond memories of

church, where the excitement of the preacher would make her and her sister giggle. Her faith

was unwavering, and she passed down her values of love, laughter, and resilience to her

children and grandchildren, who carry on her legacy of kindness and determination.

Theresa was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Atencio; her parents, Jack and

Mary Whitfield; her sister, Pamela Stacks; and her daughter, Mary Atencio.

She is survived by her children Sonja Martinez and Carlos Atencio; their spouses, Kenneth

Martinez and Joanna Cooper; her stepchildren and their spouses Joseph, Mario (Annette), Ray

(Lori), and Monica; 12 grandchildren: Morrison, Venicio, Xavier, Jose, Tomas, Joshua, Jacob,

Jason, Veronica, Sean, Shane, and Jesus; as well as her 12 great-grandchildren, her brother

and sister-in-law Mike and Erma Whitfield, niece Nicole Stacks, and numerous cousins, nieces,

nephews, and cherished friends.

A Rosary will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Most Holy

Rosary Catholic Church, 5415 Fortuna Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87105. A Catholic Mass will

be celebrated on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., also at Our Lady of the Most Holy

Rosary Catholic Church. Burial will immediately follow the Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 1900

Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. A reception for family and friends will be held in the

family gathering space at the church following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Theresa’s memory to St Jude’s

Children’s Research Hospital.