Mary Patricia Langley

Mary Patricia "Trish" Langley left this earth and walked into heaven on March 15, 2026, following a courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Tricia was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico on September 22, 1939. She spent the first 18 years of her life living in and loving all things about Tucumcari. Her parents, Pat and Renee Bowen, and her treasured sister, Linda, were integral members of the Tucumcari community. The Bowen family shared a love of celebration and opened their home to friends and family on any occasion and made it a party! It was in her hometown that Tricia developed her 'can do' attitude which carried her through life. Following graduation from Tucumcari High School in 1957, she attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and graduated with a degree in Education. Once she graduated, she decided that she was no longer going to be called Tricia but rather, Trish. So, with her new name and an adventurous spirit, Trish and her best friends ventured out west to San Francisco, California to embark upon their new careers as teachers. Trish's first job as a teacher was in Sunnyvale, CA. Trish met her first husband in CA and followed him to Alexandria, VA for a few years. However, the desert landscape, the wide-open skies of New Mexico and her family were always in Trish's heart. She returned to NM in 1966 with her daughter, Karen in tow. Trish enrolled at UNM to pursue a master's degree in education. While standing in line to register for classes, she reunited with an old Tucumcari friend. That friend, Robert Langley, became the love of her life and her husband of 53 years. Trish and Robert welcomed their son Warren in 1976 and together built a family which is bound by Trish in every way.

Trish was a beloved elementary school teacher gracing the halls of several schools in Albuquerque. She ended her 38-year career with APS as a second-grade teacher at EG Ross elementary. She was truly gifted at teaching kids to read. No matter where she would go in Albuquerque, a former student would often approach her and praise the impact Mrs. Langley had on their life. While her passion was to teach children to read, the true gift that will last for generations to come, is the song she placed in our hearts. If you were lucky to have Mrs. Langley as a teacher (or a mom or a Mimi) then you cannot go through a day without singing about something. Her family is well versed in singing about the weather, our food, holidays, animals, and nature. Essentially, we sing about the bad things and the good things but mostly we sing about the happy things. We have ALL been taught by Trish to sing our way through life. It is a gift that we will carry with us until our end and pass onto the next generation with joy.

The home Trish and Robert built was always bustling with a party to celebrate an occasion. And Trish was the joyous host at the heart of it all. This entailed many PEO luncheons and meetings. Covenant Group and Choir events for Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church. We lost count of the endless pot-luck parties! However, the most treasured moments in the Langley home were centered around a holiday. Each and every birthday was a spectacular moment spent with family and friends in the kitchen while Trish put together a meal (and a table) that left everyone brimming with love.

Trish is preceded in death by her parents Pat and Renee Bowen. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Robert and her two children Karen (Kurt) Browning and Warren (Michelle) Langley. Those who call her Mimi are her adored grandchildren Cassidy (Eric) Blair, Carly (Bryce) Wujek, Kate (Gabriel) Brown; Kenny, Mia and Dane Langley. The great granddaughters Kennedy, Lainey and Natalie.

She also leaves behind her most adored sister, Linda and her favorite brother-in-law Pat McMurray as well as her treasured niece Stephanie (Bryan; Nathan, Aaron and Courtney) and nephew Kurston (Paige; Jake, Cooper and Tanner).

A celebration of a life well lived will take place on Saturday July 11th, 2026, at Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 10:00 AM. A reception will be held immediately following at the church. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in her honor. Please use this link to make donations:

https://donate.nationalmssociety.org/campaigns/In-Memory-of-Trish-Langley