Loretta Chavez Johnson

Loretta Chavez Johnson

October 18, 1955 June 7, 2025

The family of Loretta Chavez Johnson sadly announces that she passed away on June 7, 2025. Loretta, while on a trip to Italy and Switzerland with her husband and some close friends, contracted food poisoning which led to sepsis that landed her in the hospital in Switzerland. After two weeks in the hospital, Loretta showed signs of improvement and was later discharged and medically cleared to fly home. Unfortunately, there was a complication while en route, and she passed away before making it home.

Loretta was born in Espanola, New Mexico, on October 18, 1955. She was the youngest of three children (Errol and Roy) born to Vangie and TJ Chavez. She graduated from Espanola High School in 1973 and from New Mexico State University with her BA degree in elementary education in 1977. In high school, Loretta excelled academically, receiving the Congressional Medal of Merit her senior year. She embraced student life, serving as a student council officer, a member of the National Honor Society and taking on roles like yearbook editor, attending Boys and Girls State, a Flag Bearer and representing her class on homecoming court. She did these activities while creating lifelong friendships.

After graduating college, Loretta began an impressive 28 year career in the field of juvenile and adult probation and corrections. She started out as a classification officer for the old Bernalillo County Detention Center in downtown Albuquerque and then moved to Florida where she served as an adult probation office for the State of Florida. Loretta then moved to Colorado Springs where she worked in the state court probation system.

In 1984, Loretta returned to New Mexico to be closer to family while she was expecting her first child. She accepted a job offer with what was known then as the Youth Authority and which later became the Department of Children, Youth and Families. With Loretta's skills as a manager and administrator, she moved up the ranks and became Deputy Director of the Juvenile Justice Division of CYFD.

In early 1995 during Governor Gary Johnson's first term, Loretta was selected to be the Director of the Juvenile Justice Division of CYFD, having statewide responsibility for juvenile probation

and juvenile facilities. Under her leadership and with her administrative and communication skills, she was instrumental in reforming juvenile justice in New Mexico. Loretta believed strongly in rehabilitation and worked tirelessly to create opportunities for juvenile offenders to include alternatives to detention. She also worked to establish a restorative justice model that encompassed holding juveniles accountable for their actions.

In June of 1997, Loretta married State District Judge William P. "Chip" Johnson. It was a second marriage for both and they instantly had a blended family of four children with each having a son and daughter by prior marriage. Loretta and Chip prioritized their children and were very involved in all their activities. Upon moving to Roswell, Loretta continued her career in the criminal justice field by becoming Deputy Warden at the Roswell Correctional Center for the Department of Corrections. She then transitioned back to CYFD when she became Chief Juvenile Probation Officer for Chaves County. Her last job in Roswell was Southeast Regional Manager for the Probation and Parole Division of the Department of Corrections.

In late 2001, Loretta's husband Chip was appointed to the federal bench, so they moved to Albuquerque where they have since maintained their primary residence. Loretta accepted the position of Regional Manager for the Adult Probation and Parole Division of the Department of Corrections in Albuquerque. In December of 2005, after 28 years of public service, 25 of which were for the State of New Mexico, Loretta decided to retire. She had also successfully completed a nearly three year battle against breast cancer that was truly inspirational to all who knew and loved her.

After retirement, Loretta served as a consultant for the Annie E. Casey Foundation and then took on the role of coordinator for the Sandoval County Juvenile Justice Continuum. Around 2010, Loretta completely retired and devoted her time to family, friends and her other interests.

In 2016, Loretta undertook a new role of grandmother when her grandson Camden was born. Loretta loved being a grandmother and the highlight for her of the recent trip to Italy and Switzerland was to see Terran, the newest grandchild who was born last February and currently lives with his parents in Zurich, Switzerland.

Loretta had an infectious smile and an incredible sense of humor. She loved people and loved entertaining but for her, it was all about the gathering about making people feel welcome and about a group of people, family and/or friends, gathering, laughing, telling stories and

connecting.

Loretta was a devoted wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother and she was the best friend anyone could hope for. She loved animals and her dogs were not just pets, they were members of the family. Loretta embraced tradition, and her Northern New Mexico roots were always present in her life. These values defined the person Loretta was, loving, caring, strong, honest, open and humble.

Loretta's unexpected and untimely death has been a devastating loss to her husband, children, stepchildren, their spouses, members of her family, her close friends and to all who knew her.

Loretta is survived by her husband, Judge William P. "Chip" Johnson; her son, Scott C. Henry, his wife Chelsey and their son Camden; her daughter, Jennifer L. Henry and her wife Ashley Love; her stepdaughter, Laura Engelbrecht, her husband Joey and their son Terran; and her stepson, Paul Johnson. She is also survived by her brother, Roy, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families.

A service to celebrate Loretta's extraordinary life will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church, 3424 Fourth Street NW, in Albuquerque on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 10:30 am, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to St. Therese Catholic Church, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund or any other suitable charity.