Betty Jo Perea

Services for Betty Jo Mela Perea, 61 of Santa Rosa will be held Thursday, 7-13-2023 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa. Rosary will be prayed at 1:00pm and Mass will immediately follow. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery at the Perea family plot, with Father Moses officiating.

Betty Jo was born December 9, 1961 in Santa Rosa to the home of Juan de Dios and Manuela (Gonzales) Perea. She was raised in Santa Rosa and graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1980. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.  She is survived by: Son, Anthony Moncayo (Michelle) daughters, Sarah, (her loving caregiver for the past 5 & one half years) and Katelina Laumbach (Adam); Grandchildren: Leah & Andres Moncayo, Christian, Jacinta, & Manuel Martinez and Serbana, Tobias, Francisco & Mario Laumbach. She is also survived by four sisters:  Jane (Reyes) Sanchez of Las Vegas, NM, Gloria (Ron) Gage of Santa Rosa, Lucy (Ken) Flores of Santa Rosa, Barbara (Earl) Sena of Santa Rosa, two brothers John (Veronica) Perea of Santa Rosa, Richard (Julia) Perea of Albuquerq1ue special Goddaughter, Krista Perea, many nephews and nieces with whom she had a unique and special relationship. Betty Jo was adventurous and often enjoyed the many road trips she took especially with her sisters.

Betty Jo is preceded in death by her parents Juan & Mela, infant son, Michael Andrew, grandson, Rogelio Antonio, Sisters Lina, Ida, Dilia, Rose and special brother Gilbert.

Betty Jo had amazing talents and a strong work ethic as well as a very generous nature. She loved to give (secretly) and loved to send cards anonymously just “to lift people up.”

Betty worked with various agencies around the state. A few of her favorites was working with the disadvantaged and marginalized through the Sure House where she was a licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse counselor and with the HELP program where she found employment for the youth. Her final years of employment was with Santa Rosa Cons. Schools in Human Resources.

Betty Jo’s written wishes:  Pallbearers, Lawrence Sanchez, Kenneth John Flores, Francisco Flores, Ronnie Gage, Zeke Sena, Ricardo Sena, Juan Perea, Jarrod Lopez, Angelica Gonzales, Jeff Saiz, Anthony Moncayo, Sr.

Honorary Pallbearers: Betty Jo’s close friends Louise Campos, Netta Baca-Montgomery, Fabian Chavez and co-workers, Priscilla Garcia, Debbie Urban, Jimmy Chavez and Jeff Saiz.

Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435.  575-472-3369.  To place an online condolence or tribute, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.