Longtime county treasurer, clerk dead at 81

A longtime Doña Ana County treasurer and clerk died Thursday in Las Cruces.

Delia Garcia Barncastle, who remained active in the Republican Party even after she left office in 1998, died after a long illness, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. She was 81.

Barncastle served as treasurer from 1969 to 1972 and 1989 to 1994, and was clerk from 1977 to 1980, the newspaper reported.

“She worked long and hard,” current Clerk Rita Torres told the newspaper. “It was impressive that she could handle so many tasks and implement so many things in the treasurer’s office.”

Barncastle, the newspaper reported, was nicknamed “Landslide Lil” for her ability to win elections by huge margins – a rarity for a Republican in Doña Ana County.

Barncastle also worked for several years for Sen. Pete Domenici and former Rep. Joe Skeen.

“I am saddened by Delia’s death,” Domenici told the newspaper. “She faithfully served me in my early years as senator, and I have always been deeply appreciative of her efforts on my behalf and on behalf of the people of Doña Ana County.