Velma Mendoza Collaso

Velma Collaso, 59 of Fort Sumner passed away, Thursday, January 30, 2014 in Fort Sumner. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm Monday, February 3, 2014 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the church 10:00 am Tuesday, February 4, 2014, Father Paul Nkumbi will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chris Anchondo, Dusty Minton, Eugene Sena, Bucky Minton, L.K. Minton, and Alejandro Alire. Honorary bearers will incude her brothers Robert, Fidel, Alonso, Marcos Jr., and Porfirio Mendoza and family friend Miguel Baltazar. Visitation hours will be Monday from 10am to 6pm at the funeral home. Velma was born October 26, 1954 in Pecos, Texas to the home of Marcos and Georgia (Espinosa) Mendoza. She was reared and attended school in Pecos. Velma married Manuel Collaso on September 26, 1984 in Hobbs, NM. Velma and Manuel made their home in Fort Sumner in 1994. She was employed for several years as a caregiver at Pecos Valley Care Center and later worked as a custodian at De Baca General Hospital. She owned and operated La Familia Restaurant in Fort Sumner. Velma was a faithful member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner and made her Cursillo in early 1990. Velma was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend. She enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, cooking, and baking. She was well known for the tamales she made. Velma was preceded in death by her husband Manuel Collaso on December 15, 2012, and a brother Benjamin Mendoza on September 29, 2009. Survivors include three daughters Melissa Minton and husband Bucky of Fort Sumner, Crystal Collaso and Dustin Minton of Edgewood, NM, Stephanie Sena and husband Eugene of Fort Sumner, a son Adrian Collaso of Fort Sumner, her parents Marcos and Georgia Mendoza of Pecos, Texas, four sisters Teresa Talamontes of Pecos, TX, Mary Lou Salcido of Pecos, TX, Erma Gutierez of Pecos, TX and Diana Crawford and husband L.G. of San Antonio, TX, five brothers Robert Mendoza of Pecos, TX, Fidel Mendoza and his wife Margie of San Angelo, TX, Alonso Mendoza of Pecos, TX, Marcos Mendoza Jr. and his wife Connie of Fort Stockton, TX, and Porfirio Mendoza and his wife Elsie of Azusa, CA. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren along with a host of other relatives and many friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311.