Lydia Chapa

Maria Lydia Chapa, 82 of Fort Sumner died Sunday, April 3, 2005 at Mission Arch Nursing Center in Roswell, NM following an illness. She was born December 9, 1922 in Hidalgo County, Texas to the home of Salvador Chapa and the former Josephine Longoria. She was reared and attended school in Mission, Texas. She worked as a bank teller in McAllen and San Antonio, TX. She married Lubin B. Chapa on September 17, 1948 in Texas. Mrs. Chapa made her home in Fort Sumner in 2002. She enjoyed walking and exercising, vacationing, and spending time at the Senior Citizens Center. She volunteered time at the Senior Center in San Antonio, TX. She was a Roman Catholic. Mrs. Chapa was preceded in death by her husband Lubin B. Chapa on January 6, 1986; five brothers, Salvador, Medardo, Amadeo, Armando, and Mike Chapa; and two sisters, Celia Saenz and Josephine Burger. Survivors include a daughter Sandy Wertheim and husband Bill of Fort Sumner; one son Skip Chapa of Reno, Nevada; and a sister Elvira Guerra of McAllen, Texas. Also surviving are two grandchildren Arianna Wertheim of Los Angeles, CA and Derek Wertheim of Clovis, NM. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from the church at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 7, 2005 with Father Hoi Tran officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery.Pallbearers will include James Allen Dunn, Ernie Mares, Johnny Lopez, Joe Lovato, Ruben Lucero, and Tito Vigil. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311 www.chavezfuneralhome.com