Otilia Chavez

Services for longtime Santa Rosa resident Otilia "Tillie" Chavez, will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, NM, a rosary will be recited at 10:00 am followed by Mass of Christian Burial.Her grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Otilia Maria Chavez, 96, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Great-Great-Grandmother passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2014 in Albuquerque, NM at her place of residence. Tillie, as she was lovingly known, was born in Duran, NM on Sept. 18, 1917 to Serapio and Juanita Sanchez. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfredo Chavez Sr., and her daughter, Rita M Baca. She is survived by her daughter, Juanita M Miller of Albuquerque, NM; sons, Alfredo Chavez Jr. of Santa Rosa, NM; Nicholas (Libby) Chavez of Fairbanks, AK; Richard (Rose) Chavez of Albuquerque, NM; eleven grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; several siblings; and many nieces, nephews and friends. After marriage, she and her family settled in Santa Rosa, NM. She was very active and generous in her community and church. Along with her husband, she was the proud owner of three restaurants in Santa Rosa. She moved to Albuquerque in 1992 after retiring from the Santa Rosa school district as the Cafeteria Manager. Her zest for life, her generous gift of hospitality and giving spirit towards others, her love of cooking, her impeccable sense of style, and her absolute sweet wittiness, truly set her apart. She had an incredible talent of making even the simplest of things, beautiful. Her mind was kept sharp to the very end by her daily "homework" of crossword puzzles. Tillie's love for her family, friends and the needy never wavered, she never complained about any of life’s hurdles. She loved everyone unconditionally and treated us all so special. Mom, Gram, GG, we thank you for all you have done for us. We will forever love and miss you. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street, Santa Rosa, New Mexico.