Eva Connelly

Eva Connelly, born Eva Betancourt, passed peacefully in her Albuquerque home on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the age of 79, surrounded by the love of her family.

She is preceded in death by her mother Genevieve Betancourt; father Martin Betancourt; sisters: Lydia Betancourt (the elder), Ruth “Cuca” Borunda; and other beloved family members who welcomed her home.

Eva is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband Richard Connelly; three children: Carol Salazar (Jim), Anthony Sias (Sally), Laverne “Liv” Vastano (Mike); six grandchildren and their partners; five great-grandchildren; and a wide circle of siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family who carry her spirit forward.

She was born on March 3, 1947, in Fierro, New Mexico—a place that first held the roots of a life she would go on to fill with color, warmth, and unwavering spirit.

Eva was full of life in the truest sense. She spoke honestly, lived passionately, and stood firmly in what she believed. There was no dimming her light—she was vibrant, expressive, kind, humorous, caring, and deeply alive in everything she did.

She found joy in creating—gardens that bloomed under her care, meals that brought people together, baked goods that comforted, and art that reflected her eye for beauty. She loved music, singing, and dancing, drawing, and transforming the ordinary into something meaningful and full of life. Whether it was a song playing in the background or a moment that called for celebration, music was always part of the rhythm of her home. She also carried a gift for healing, holding a deep well of knowledge for remedies that nurtured both home and health.

Above all, Eva was a wife, a mother, a nana, a sister, an auntie, and a friend. She gave her family more than love—she gave them color, nourishment, laughter, guidance, and celebration. She was the heart of gatherings, the keeper of traditions, and the soul that made a house feel like home.

She leaves us a legacy not only of family, but of feeling—of warmth, creativity, strength, and love that will continue to bloom in all who knew her.

And like her gardens, she does not end—she continues to grow, in every life she touched, in every color that blooms, and in every song that still feels like home.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery located at 1900 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. An intimate gathering will follow, with location details to be shared that day.

In honor of Eva’s vibrant spirit and her love of beauty, guests are invited to wear blue—her favorite color—or any color you might find in a flourishing garden.