Margarita Olivas Chavez

Margarita Olivas Chavez was born February 21, 1903 in Clayton, NM to Manuelita and Jesus Olivas. She died peacefully at her home in Santa Rosa, NM on Monday, January 17, 2005. She married Alberto G. Chavez on March 3, 1919 in Santa Rosa; they were the parents of twelve children. She was preceded in death by her husband Alberto G. Chavez in 1952; two daughters Rosenda and Delia; three sisters Modesta Ulibarri, Leonor Moreno, Rumalda Rodriguez, three brothers Filiberto, Ignacio, and Cipriano Olivas. She is survived by her children Jessie Chavez and husband Frank, Ernie Chavez and wife Rosie, Albert Chavez and wife Diane, Ramona Padilla and husband Lalo, Fernie Chavez, Elizabeth Romero and husband Carlos, Corrine Chavez and husband Nestor, Connie Aragon, Annie Campos and husband Leroy, Margaret Padilla and husband Victor. She devoted her entire life to the loving care of her family. Margarita was the matriarch of five generations which includes 33 grandchildren, 54 great grandchildren and 24 great great grandchildren. She enjoyed crocheting and was famous for her dish cloths, table cloths and other crocheting which she gave to her children and many friends. She was also known for her excellent cooking of native New Mexican foods including sopapillas, fruit pies and most of all her biscochitos. In her later years she enjoyed going to the bingo and on occasion to the casinos where she had many friends. Margarita was a devout catholic and prayed the rosary every day of her adult life. Her home was alway open to everybody and nobody left hungry. She was a member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Society and Las Hijas De Maria. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 21, 2005 from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa; Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from the church at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 22, 2005 with Father Nick Nichols officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Santa Rosa. Pallbearers will be Lino Chavez, Cipriano Olivas, Joe Moreno, Joe Ulibarri, Genaro Olivas and Ray Dean. Honorary Pallbearers are all her grandchildren. All services are entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South 3rd St, Santa Rosa, NM (505) 472-3369.