It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of MARCIE LYN PETERSON,
born May 7, 1966, in Boonton, New Jersey to Robert and Maizie Gamboa and died, April 11, 2025, in Las Cruces. NM., after a lengthy illness.

Her father worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories which gave her family, the opportunity to live in New Jersey for three years, on Kwajalein Island in the North Pacific for two years, before moving to North Dakota for five years.

In the 70"s the family moved back to Las Cruces where she found her passion for gymnastics.  She graduated from Las Cruces High School and New Mexico State University.

Marcie spent three summers working for Bella Karolyi, the U.S. Olympic Team Head Coach before moving to Denver, Co. where she started her own gymnastics business. With her love for teaching and mentoring children she found it a perfect fit. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched. Loving music as she did, she never forgot lyrics. Back in the day her favorite album was Prince' "Purple Rain."

Her most loved treasures were her beloved daughter, Sloan; her father "Daddy-O" and her brother, Phil.  Marcie had an infectious smile with a loving, kind, and bubbly personality. She had 58 short years of counting rainbows, wishing upon the stars, marveling at sunrises and sunsets, giving hugs, smiles and most of all her love.

Marcie is survived by her daughter, Sloan G. Peterson; her father Robert "Bob" Gamboa (Cherie); brother, Phillip Gamboa (Debbie) as well as numerous, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She is preceded in death by her mother, Maizie Gamboa; paternal grandparents: Robert and Maggie Gamboa; maternal grandparents, Roscoe and Beatrice McAlister

A private ceremony will be held at St. Francis Garden Columbarium at Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Please consider donating in honor of Marcie L. Peterson to: Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana Ave. Las Cruces, NM 88005.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com