Mercedes Lleras Lorenzen

Mercedes Lleras Lorenzen, 89, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died peacefully on August 29, 2026. She was born in Colombia, South America, and lived a life marked by devotion to family and friends, a love of learning, creativity, and an abiding desire to encourage others.

Mercedes married Bernhardt Lorenzen in Bogotá, Colombia, on March 28, 1953. Together they moved to the United States in 1954 and made their life in New Mexico, where Mercedes devoted herself to her family, her home, her church, and a wide range of volunteer activities. She became a naturalized United States citizen and embraced the opportunities before her with determination, curiosity, and an eagerness to contribute to the community that had become her home. She taught herself to navigate a new language and culture, becoming accomplished in both spoken and written English. In doing so, she became a wonderful example of making the most of opportunity-not simply for herself, but in the many ways she gave her talents and energy to others. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernhardt; her son, Andrew Lorenzen; her mother, Dolores "Lola" Lleras de Granados; and her older sisters, Maria Granados de Ibanez and Graciela Granados de Cortez.

Mercedes was a homemaker, briefly worked as a bridal consultant, and pursued some college coursework in business at the University of New Mexico. But her most enduring accomplishments were found in the many ways she used her talents in service to others. She was active in her church throughout her life, participating in study and various ministries, including Thresholds. She was also involved with New Mexico State University Extension Homemakers Clubs and enjoyed researching and preparing educational presentations for club members. Additionally, she served as a 4-H Club Leader.

She had extraordinary creative gifts. An exceptional fashion designer, seamstress, and gourmet cook, Mercedes had an instinctive ability to see what something could become before it got there. In Mercedes' hands, $10 worth of fabric could be transformed into a garment that made the wearer look like "a million bucks." She had an eye for color, style, fit, and detail, and what she created was never merely utilitarian-it had flair. She brought that same imagination to cooking. Mercedes seemed to know in her head how things would taste before she ever made them. She enjoyed entering cooking contests, dreaming up recipes and, on more than one occasion, actually won-without having made the creation beforehand! The New Mexico State Fair provided her years of opportunities for competitive fun in sewing and cooking contests. Also, in 1988, she represented New Mexico at the National Beef Cook-Off.

There was creativity in everything Mercedes did, along with a healthy measure of confidence and, every now and then, a mischievous streak. She loved learning and striving, and she encouraged those around her to do the same. Her family and friends knew her as someone who gave of herself generously and took genuine pleasure in seeing others succeed.

Mercedes is survived by her daughter, Melissa (Lorenzen) Hilleary and her husband, Chris Hilleary; her son, Lorenz Lorenzen and his wife, Colleen (Donahue) Lorenzen; her grandchildren, Sean Hilleary, Claire Hilleary and her husband, Clint Lard, Alex Lorenzen and his wife, Morgan Lorenzen, Malcolm Lorenzen, Jerika Lorenzen, and Jheridan "JD" Lorenzen; and her great-grandchildren, Aryah Lopez and Xena Mercedes Lorenzen. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews and their children in both the United States and Colombia.

Mercedes leaves behind a family who knew her not only for what she did, but for the imagination, determination, generosity, and love with which she did it. Her life was a testament to the possibility of taking what is at hand and making something beautiful from it-and, in Mercedes' hands, there was almost always a little flair.

A Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 5:00 p.m., at FRENCH - University, with a rosary to follow at 6:00 p.m. A Mass will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m., at Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish, 2621 Vermont St. NE. Burial will follow at Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery, 4161 Quay County Road 63, Tucumcari, NM. Pallbearers will be Lorenz Lorenzen, Chris Hilleary, Douglas Buckley, Sean Hilleary, Jheridan "JS" Lorenzen, and Rick Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be Alex Lorenzen and Malcolm Lorenzen.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.