EUFRACIA CATALINA PORRAS y GALLEGOS MIYAGISHIMA, written by Major Bob Miyagishima, MA, BS

It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the passing of our 93-year-old mother, Eufracia Catalina Porras y Gallegos Miyagishima on August 1st, 2023.  She was born on March 13, 1930, in Alamogordo, NM to Natalia Mendoza and Jose Porras.  She was happily married to her husband of 65 years T/Sgt. Mike Kazuji Miyagishima who preceded her in death on March 5th, 2018.

Eufracia, "Cati", as she was affectionately called, only completed the 5th grade because she had to help her family by sewing and doing other odd jobs in the 1940's.  With her biological parents not able to raise her, Cati's uncle and aunt, Juan, and Concha Gallegos also of Alamogordo, NM would legally adopt her.  Although Cati did not have much schooling, she made sure her five children all graduated from college.  Bob, Caroline, and Ken who also obtained their graduate degrees as well.

Cati's experience as a child allowed her to become a seamstress and tailor.  Cati had many wonderful customers; one was Mrs. E. Evertson whom she made numerous suits and items for, she also did alterations for her family and close friends.

As a young lady in Alamogordo during the late 1940's, Cati was a seamstress for a business located on New York Ave.  As fate would have it, 49 years later, her sons, James and Robert would have an Optical business called Miyagi-Island Optical at 910 New York Ave., some two doors down from this tailor shop she had worked at as a young lady.

She made custom suits for her husband Mike, a white formal jacket for James' high school prom.  She made several leisure suits for Bob, wedding dresses for her daughter-in-law Maura and her daughter Caroline.  She would also make her son Ken's elementary school clothes, as well as her granddaughter Roberta's first Holy Communion dress.

Cati was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker who followed her husband from duty station to duty station while he was in the U.S. Air Force, 1948-1969.  She made a very inviting home while her husband was stationed at Holloman Air Force Base (AFB), New Mexico which is where sons James and Robert were born.  They also lived in Hokkaido Japan, Altus AFB, Oklahoma birthplace of Caroline, Keesler AFB, Biloxi Mississippi where Mayor Ken was born.  His last duty station as a family was at Vandenberg AFB, California.  The family moved back to Alamogordo in 1968 where our mom had to set up a home because our dad had to report to Viet-Nam and later Thailand before the Air Force would allow him to retire.

She is survived by her four sons: Son, Jose Luis Gallegos, wife Amy and son Juan Carlos.  Son, 1st Lt. James A. Miyagishima, wife Carmen of El Paso, daughter Kaitland Kazuko, husband Abraham Valencia, daughter Ramona and son Warrant Ofc. 1 - Santiago his wife Maria Juliet and daughter Maria Adelina, son Juan Diego.  Carmen's daughter, Melissa, sons Ruben and Jason.  Son, Major Bob Miyagishima, wife Maura, daughter Laura (eldest grandchild), daughter, Roberta and Danny, with great grandchildren, Arianna, and Dimitri.  Daughter, Caroline, husband, the late Doug Rogers, children, Mike, wife Nana and great grandchild Matthew. Sean Rogers of Las Vegas, NV. Son, Mayor Ken Miyagishima, wife Rosie, sons, John, Francisco "Frank", Carlos and daughter, Danielle.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, T/Sgt Mike Miyagishima, her parents Juan and Concha Gallegos.

On the evening of July 31st, Cati went into cardiac arrest and brought back to life by the paramedics and firefighters of the Las Cruces Fire Department who worked tirelessly to keep her alive and allow her to be transported to Memorial Medical Center.  She later went into another cardiac arrest at the hospital, but thanks to Dr. Castillo and his team, they too kept her alive to allow her son Jose Luis, daughter Caroline, grandchildren, Laura, Roberta, Kaitland, Mike and Sean to pray for her one last time.  We also wish to thank Father Peters who administered the last rites.  Cati passed away with sons, Bob, Ken, Rosie and nephew and caregiver Lorenzo at the hospital.

A prayer vigil will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at Baca's Funeral Chapel, 300 E. Boutz Road.  Visitation will begin at 6:00 PM and Recitation of the Holy Rosary is scheduled at 7:00 PM.  The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 PM on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 1240 S. Espina Street.  Eulogy to be given by Mayor Ken Miyagishima after mass.  At Cati's request, cremation will take place following services and inurnment will conclude at Fort Bliss National Cemetery on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 2:30 PM, where she will be laid to rest with her husband Mike Miyagishima.

Primary casket bearers are SONS & GRANDSONS: Sons: Bob & Ken Miyagishima.  Grandsons: John, Frank, Carlos Miyagishima and Mike Rogers.  Honorary casket bearers are sons: 1st James Miyagishima, Jose Luis Gallegos, grandsons: Sean Rogers, Abe Valencia, and Juan Carlos Gallegos.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 575-527-2222.  Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care."  Online condolences log on to: www.bacasfuneralchapellascruces.com