Lydia S. Villanueva

Our beloved mother, Lydia Sanchez Villanueva, 90, a life-long resident of Albuquerque, NM, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026, at Casa Subina Sandia Assisted Living.

Lydia graduated from Albuquerque High School, worked as a secretary at Sandia National Laboratory prior to marrying our father Lawrence Villanueva in 1956. A stay-at-home mom of five, Lydia, with our father decided in 1968 to open Stufy’s Restaurant where they and their children were all involved in the restaurant business. After her husband Lawrence died in April of 1988, a few years later Lydia decided to retire from the Stufy’s restaurants and started a new occupation at Bank of America. She worked as a teller and received a number of performance awards for her ability to help clients find the services that worked best for their financial health. She was especially valued for her ability to translate for Spanish speaking clients, and she often had individuals waiting in line to free up, so they were able to make their transactions directly with her.

Mother loved her home on Cardenas Dr. and was very proud of purchasing the home on her own when she decided commuting to the restaurants from the west side of town was tiring, and she did so without our father as co-buyer. Our father soon decided it was a great idea and moved to the new home with her.

Lydia was always a helping hand for her children and grandchildren whenever they were in need and will be greatly missed. She is preceded in death by her parents Jacobo and Sofia Sanchez, husband Lawrence Villanueva, and daughter Lisa Marie Villanueva. She is survived by daughters Catherine V Beckmann, Dianne Wilkowski, Lori Ann Adams, and son Lawrence Villanueva II. Additionally, she is survived by her Son-In-Laws Steven Wilkowski and Kenneth Adams, as well as David Hendryx who has been a part of Catherine’s life for over 30 years. Lydia’s beloved grandchildren Nicholas Beckmann and wife Amy parents to her two great-grandchildren Maisie and Oliver; Jordan and Taylor Wilkowski; Zeph Adams and step-granddaughter Olivia Russel and her husband Ryan; and last but not least Lisa Marie and Lawrence Villanueva III.

Mom, you have been loved and we will miss you.

Memorial Service is scheduled May 22, 2026, at 10:30 am. It will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery,7999 Wyoming Blvd NE, followed by a reception.