Emilia Parraz Gutierrez

The beautiful Emilia Parraz Gutierrez was born into the home of Rumaldo and Carmelita Vigil Parraz on August 28, 1934, in Vaughn, New Mexico. At the age of 80, on December 4, 2014, Emilia, the last member of her generation left this life to join her family in Paradise. Welcoming her to Heaven, are her parents along with her brothers Vicente Parraz, Basilio Parraz, Leo Parraz, Andres Parraz, Joe Parraz; sisters Mary Chavez, Dometilia Baca, and Erlinda Clark; 2 nephews, 3 nieces, 1 great-nephew, 1-great-niece, and 1 great-granddaughter. Emilia married her high school sweetheart, Leopoldo (Polo) Gutierrez on July 19, 1952. She was a woman of many talents. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, especially during the walks she took with Polo while dating. Emilia, at a young age, worked for the Panebouef family business in Ramon, N.M. She also worked as a chef for various restaurants in Vaughn until she and Polo managed the Ranch House Cafe in Vaughn from 1974 to the late 1980's. Emilia was an amazing cook, most certainly the best chili maker ever! In addition to singing, she enjoyed music, dancing, playing poker with her compadres, Isidro and Eva Cordova; playing Aggravation and dice games with her children and grandchildren, jigsaw puzzles and going to the casinos. Emilia had a great sense of humor and a laugh that was contagious. Emilia loved life and her family as she would always say, “with all my heart”. She is survived by her husband of 62 years Leopoldo (Polo) Gutierrez, daughters Esther (Joe) Cordova, Nancy Apodaca, Kathy Manriquez, of Albuquerque, N.M, Lora Gutierrez of Vaughn, N.M, Linda (Raul) Quintanilla; son Leopoldo (Angela) Gutierrez of Albuquerque, N.M. Grandchildren Joseph (Concha) Cordova, Cindy (Jesus) Manquero, Manuel (Crystal) Luna, Crystal (Aaron) Sanchez, Lorinda Gutierrez, of Albuquerque, N.M. Mariela Escarcega of Vaughn, Raul Rey Quintanilla, Ara (Miguel) Romero, and Leopoldo Gutierrez III of Albuquerque, N.M.; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, David and Tillie Lopez of Clovis, N.M., Richard and Linda Villalobos of Simi Valley, CA, Manuel and Nell Gutierrez of Lynwood, CA, Raymond Gutierrez of Los Lunas, N.M. and numerous Godchildren, relatives, and friends. Rosary services will be held on Sunday, December 7, at 7:00 PM from St. Mary’s Church in Vaughn. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 8, at 10:00 AM also from St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers will be Joe Cordova, Joseph Cordova, Jesus Manquero, Manuel Luna, Aaron Sanchez, Raul Quintanilla, Raul Rey Quintanilla, Leopoldo Gutierrez III, Steven Parraz, and Manuel (Melo) Chavez Jr. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Angela Anaya Gutierrez, Joe Luna, David Baca, Concha Cordova, Cindy Manquero, Crystal Luna, Crystal Sanchez, Lorinda Gutierrez, Juan Melero, Mariela Escarcega, Ara and Miguel Romero. All services for Mrs. Gutierrez has been entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa. To place an online condolence please visit our website at www.chavezfuneralhome.com