Matilda Baca Ivey

On Thursday, August 21st, 2025, at 7:20 a.m., the world lost one of its brightest sparks when Matilda Baca Ivey - known by many names, including: Mati, Maddie, Tilly, and, her most infamous nickname, "The Tumbleweed Tart" - passed away peacefully at home in Tucson, Arizona. She was 88 and, true to form, she leaves us with stories and laughter.

Born on March 14th, 1937, in El Paso, Texas to Julia Apodaca and Romulo Baca, Matilda was the youngest of nine siblings: Socco, Lee, Francis, Amelia, Martha, Alonso, Andy, and Irene. Being the baby of such a large, lively family made her everyone's favorite aunt. She became a bridge between generations; growing up and playing alongside nieces and nephews, doting on babies, and keeping the family glued together with her quick wit and outrageous humor.

A proud Bowie High School graduate, Matilda had a sharp mind for words and detail working as a medical transcriber while raising her four children.

She married Frank Bellncula in 1957 in El Paso and together they had four children over 12 years: Frank, Cynthia, Tim, and Mark. After Matilda and Frank later divorced, she remarried in 1992 in Tucson to William Ivey. With Bill, she crisscrossed the U.S. in his truck - west to Nevada, north to Wyoming, east to the Florida Keys, and often south to Mexico (a country she loved through its music and culture).

Matilda's true passion was people. She loved dining out, shopping, traveling, and, in her younger years, partying with legendary gusto. She also had a lifelong fascination with True Crime - books first, then TV. She'd gasp at the outrageous stories, but everyone suspected she was secretly studying how to pull off the perfect crime. If she ever tried, she was never caught.

Rooted in her Roman Catholic faith, she attended Mass in her youth and marriage and later prayed the rosary at home. That faith - like her humor - carried her through life's ups and downs.

She is survived by her children: Cynthia Bellncula (Tucson, AZ), John Timothy and Leeanne Bellncula (Dayton, WA), Mark Bellncula (Breckenridge, CO), and Irene Bellncula (Aurora, CO); her granddaughter: Amiee Salter (Tucson, AZ); and her beloved great-grandchildren: Athena Dubeck and Erick "Babuski" Henderson (both of Tucson, AZ). She's also lovingly remembered by a wide circle of nieces and nephews: Sue Ellen Martinez (Tucson, AZ), Carol Gonzalez (Ontario, CA), Martha Martinez (Walnut Creek, CA), Holly Rupert-Estrada (San Bernardino, CA), Falica Rose Dunton (Gilbert, AZ), Penny Witkowski (Olympia, WA), Linda Garcia (San Pedro, CA), Rebecca "Bowie" Rippito (Maryland), Yvonne Jefferson (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), Laura Wilson (Sneads Ferry, NC), Roxane Morales (El Paso, TX), Richard Baca (El Paso, TX), Fernie Baca (El Paso, TX), Victoria Crowell (El Paso, TX), Lanna Bucher (Ohio), Mico Baca (Ohio), Terry Baca (El Paso, TX), Albert Baca (Amarillo, TX), Ernest Perea (California), and in-law Pita Baca (El Paso, TX) - who will forever cherish their outrageous, hilarious, and deeply loving "Aunt Mati." She kept lifelong friends close, too: Yolanda, Anna, Nora, Judy, Laura, and Sonia.

She was predeceased by her former spouse: Frank Bellncula, her former husband: William Ivey, her beloved son: Frank "Frankie" Bellncula (Denver, CO), all eight siblings, and nieces and nephews: Eddie Perea (Vacaville, CA), Katherine Lynn Bartel (Hemet, CA), and Frank Arthur Martinez (CA).

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, September 20th, at noon at St. Joseph Parish (215 S. Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85711). A celebration of her life will follow at a private location.

The family wishes to thank Far Horizons Mobile Home Park Cooperative for their kindness and community. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Matilda's honor may be made to Far Horizons Mobile Home Park Cooperative.

Her favorite saying - "Chicken today, feathers tomorrow." Matilda lived joyfully in the chicken-today moments, and her laughter, love, and audacious spirit will keep the family laughing for years to come.