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BORN
1946
DIED
2012
Josephine Chavez Obituary
Josie was a loving, perpetual housewife that devoted her entire life to the Lord. Josie was the best cook you could find in Tularosa and she used this gift to not only feed her family, but to assist in raising an incredible amount of money for the St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church while her many family members were running for fiesta king and queen.
She served as a fiesta mayordomo for many years and continued to volunteer for the church any time she could. Josie loved music and sang in the choir for Saturday evening masses.
Everyone in the family was included in Josie's prayers. She never left anyone out and was always praying for her family members to find their way to the Lord. Josie's faith in God was eternal and she prayed the rosary every day. Josie passed her everlasting faith down to all of her family, who joined her in saying the rosary in her last days before moving on to be by the Lord's side.
She married her first love, Matias Chavez, and shared 46 years together and built a strong, loving family together. Josie also spent time working as a bank teller for Security Bank and Trust in Tularosa, and as a waitress at C&C Restaurant, where she enjoyed meeting all of her friends.
Josie loved to laugh and dance. Josie enjoyed watching her nieces, nephews and grandchildren play sports. She always remembered her relatives and friends for all birthdays and holidays and never failed to send a card or letter for all occasions. Josie loved all angels because she was an angel herself.
Josie was preceded in death by her son Matthew Chavez; her father Raymond Duran; and brother Max Duran.
Josie is survived by her husband of 46 years, Matias; sons Lawrence Chavez and wife, Kim, and Steve Chavez and wife, Liz; daughter Frances Vigil and husband, Jimmy (John); mother Nena Duran; grandchildren Matthew Chavez and wife, Aleesha, Brianna Chavez, Julio Chavez, Jessica Chavez, Josh Chavez, Kayla Vigil, James Vigil and RayJ Vigil; great-grandson Adrius Guilez; sisters Gloria Sainz and husband, Robert, Mary Guilez, Gina Kowatch and husband, Louie; brother Frank Duran; sister-in-law, Naomi Hiles; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Chavez, James Vigil, Julio Chavez, RayJ Vigil, Frankie Duran, Nash Kowatch, Josh Chavez, Adrius Guilez, Kayla Vigil, Brianna Chavez and Jessica Chavez.
Honorary pallbearers will be all of Josie's godchildren: Kim Chavez, Liz Chavez, Jimmy Vigil, Alvino and Frances Flores; uncle Joe and Fina Duran, Jim and Gloria Morrison, aunt Susie Duran, Terry and Dave Wickham, Carlos and Jan Hangarter, Carole Turowski and Rex Comanche.
The rosary to be recited by Carlos and Jan Hangarter at St. Francis de Paula Church on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at 10 a.m. with Fr. Juan Montoya officiating. Christian burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Tularosa, followed by a reception at the Tularosa Community Center.
The Chavez family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.alamogordofuneralhome.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Josephine Chavez
Didi Garcia, PA-C
January 25, 2012
I feel honored and privileged to have been a part of Josephine's care. She was truly wonderful, and always had a positive outlook, even when she was feeling her worst. She never failed to bring a smile to anyone in clinic who was around her. I will miss her. I have a recipe she gave me for apple cake; it is one I will continue to make and will pass down to my kids. In this way, she will continue to bring happiness and good cooking to another generation. My sincere condolences to her family.
Kathy Montoya Arnold
January 18, 2012
To Chavez And Duran Famliy
My prayers are with you all Josie was an Angel
Kathy
Helen Salgado
January 18, 2012
To Gina and all her family, may God give you strength to help you through this. Please give your mom a hug for me, Gina. You remain in our prayers. Helen & Sonny Salgado
January 18, 2012
Frank, May the Lord give you peace to know that your sister, Josie is in a much better place now. The Lord be with you and all your family. Margie Otero Kicklighter, MSA, USBP, Alamogordo, NM
VERONICA AND MAGGIE MONTOYA
January 15, 2012
WE SEND OUR CONDOLANC TO YOUR FAMILY AND LOVED ONE YOU WILL BE MISSED DEARLY AMEN
Ralph Perales
January 14, 2012
Want to express my deepest sympathy to Matias and family. Through the years I have heard nothing but good about the contributions Josie and Matias have done for the Church. May God be with you all.
Clarissa Sandoval
January 12, 2012
To tia Nena, Matias, Lawrence, Stevie, Frances and all of the family. I just now found out about Josie! My prayers are with you all! May the good LORD bless and keep you strong. I love you all!
Angie Cooksey-Morales
January 11, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss, I wish I could have been there for you Frances. She is now your angel above and will always be in your heart. I will always remember her gentle kindness, she passed it on to you. Love you!!
January 11, 2012
To all of Josie's Family,
Take comfort in knowing there's no more suffering for this gentle women. She was such a nice person. We'll miss her smiling face at the Fiesta bucks window.
Greg and Rhonda Silva
Prescilla Wooten
January 10, 2012
Josephine was a amazing strong woman who devoted her life to her kids, family, grand kids, and everyone. she always gave my dad a hard time, just like he did to her. it was a big shock to me and my family and I am so sorry that the world lost a angel like Josephine we will miss you. we will all know that she is in a great place now,where she won't have to suffer or be in pain. Josephine I just wanted to say that I will keep you in our memory and we love you dearly.
God Bless,
~Prescilla Wooten and family
Bernice Cavazos
January 10, 2012
To all of Josie's family I want to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. Although I could not attend her services know that I was there spiritually and that I have you in my thoughts and prayers. I will never forget the good times Josie and I shared and I will forever treasure them. May you find the strength to get through this difficult time and know that she is no longer suffering and is now looking over you all and praying for you.
God Bless You All
carmen armigo
January 10, 2012
to the chavez family and ginajosies smile will live forever her great personality and love for everyone gina hang in there and god bless you all we love you she will be missed
katherine najar
January 10, 2012
TO Gina Kowatch, sorry about your loss. my thought and prayer with u. love u girl. kathy najar
The Maturino Family
January 9, 2012
May God Bless you all through these tough times, our love and prayers go out to the whole family. Josie's big heart and smile will be missed dearly.
Jennifer Gonzales
January 9, 2012
To my little Brianna Chavez, my thoughts and prayers are with you, as well as the rest of Josie's family. I am so sorry for your loss. I know Josie will be greatly missed. May you find the strength to get through this trying time.
jimmy sainz
January 9, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Tina Cordova
January 9, 2012
To the Chavez & Duran family,
This is a most sorrowful time for you all but if ever a person went to Heaven it was Josie. Her dedication to her faith, her church, her family and her community was like no other. We will all miss her because she had a genuine Christian soul. I hope the faith that Josie spread will help you endure your loss. With sincere sympathy and prayers.
Ramona Vallejos
January 9, 2012
Gloria,Gina & family: I am so sorry about your loss. Josie was one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. She had a great sense of humor and a ready smile. God Bless you all at this sad time.
VERONICA (BB) MONTOYA
January 9, 2012
WE PRAY FOR JOSIE THAT SHE MAY REST IN PEACE AND FOR HER FAMILY MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND MAKE YOU STRONG AMEN.
The Olascoaga Family
January 9, 2012
To the Chavez Family,
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. We are so sorry for your loss. May God Bless you.
Lucille (Luci) (Saenz) Sanchez
January 8, 2012
To the family of Josie,
My deepest sympathy to all the family.
May this angel that lived on earth, continue to look over all of you from heaven.
Jan Diaz-Rael
January 8, 2012
To Josie's family: Josie was a sincere, caring, honest, giving and loving person. She will be greatly missed. May God help the family thru this loss and have the faith that she is in a better place and is whole with God. Amen! Jan & Danny Rael
Carlos & Jan Hangarter
January 8, 2012
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Maria Martinez
January 7, 2012
To the family of Matias Chavez and Tia Nena Duran, we are so sorry for your loss, Josie was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, and a true friend whom we will all miss very much. I feel bad because we didn't get to to see her as often as we should. Cousin you are gone but will never be forgotten. We love you very much.
Love you all
Maria Martinez and Manuela Jaramillo
Rebecca Sanchez-duboise
January 7, 2012
Chavez family, I was so sorry to hear about Josie, so sad. I remember her as such an outgoing person, someone so easy to like. My prayers are with you all.
January 7, 2012
Our sincere blessings to the Chavez family on the loss of their loved one
Josie. May god bless you.
Mary and Ernest Reynolds
Roswell, New Mexico
Tommy, Georgette Forbes and Family
January 7, 2012
Uncle Matias, Lawrence, Stevie, Frances and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! We love you all very much. Auntie was a wonderful woman and she will truely be missed! She is now our guardian angel and is looking over all of us! We are praying for the family May God bless you all!!
Marlene Gonzales
January 7, 2012
Frances and family, may god bless you in your time of sorrow.
Marlene Gonzales
Paul & Rene Chavez
January 7, 2012
I would like to express my condolences to the whole family. My nina was a strong woman with a good n loving heart. Know that she is now at peace and no longer suffering, although it may be hard to except right now. My love and prayers are with you all in hopes that God will give you comfort and strength in gettin through this very hard and trying time...With Love
JOHN RAYMOND TELLES
January 7, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ronnie & Deena Silva
January 7, 2012
Mr. Chavez, Francis, Lawrence, Steve and family: We are so sorry for your loss. Josie was a wonderful person. Her warmth was felt by so many here in Tularosa. She was always helping others and she knew how to get things organized...and done. We will never forget her, she has left with us a legacy of strong and caring people. We send our heart filled blessings and love.
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