Adela Chavez

Adela Chavez, age 100, born in Torreon, New Mexico and a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2024. Mrs. Chavez is survived by her children, daughter, Bernadette Lucero and husband, Bennie, son, Ron Chavez, and daughter, Elaine Chavez Montoya and husband, Michael; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband, Moises, and six siblings. Pallbearers will be, Adam Lucero, Robby Chavez, Isaac Chavez, Josiah Lucero, Isaac (Ike) Chavez, Elijah Chavez, Gerald Larry Chavez, and Dennis Zamora. 

Hallelujah Adela Chavez went on to Meet her Maker! Rejoice and Be Glad. She shared her rich yet humble life with us for 100 years, “and some”. She was born unto Melquiades Chavez and Jenara Corrales. Her life was filled with rich memories of growing up on a ranch in Torreon, NM. As a child she learned how to respect her elders, cook, clean, sew and practice the Catholic faith. She was especially proud that she graduated from Estancia HS while performing vital daily chores to sustain her family on the ranch. She became an independent woman, excellent wife, mother and homemaker and joyful human being. Her life experience was deeply rooted in the Catholic faith: she was a lifelong parishioner at St. Anne Church in the South Valley. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and truly enjoyed singing in the church choir.

Together with her loving husband, Moises Chavez, they created a stable and nurturing home for each other and their 3 children, Bernadette, Ronnie and Elaine. Adela and Moises’ honorable ways will live on through their children. Thank you for teaching us the difference between right and wrong. Adela was widowed at the age of 65 and with that Torreon bred fortitude forged ahead to continue in the fullness and joy that God intended. She attended drivers’ education classes to become a licensed driver; at 65 she was the oldest student in the class. As always, Strong work Adela! She could then drive herself to the church, grocery store, the homes of friends and family and most frequently to the Holy Family Senior Center, later the South Valley Multipurpose Center. Here she devoted herself to the robust activities of senior living. She loved to craft – ceramics, crochet, quilt, sew, cross stitch, embroidery. Line dancing and field trips to the casino were some of her favorite activities. Every day she was mindful of the benefits of clean, active and healthy living, a source of her good health to the very end. 

Adela was preceded in death by her siblings whom she sincerely missed until she died. She lovingly remembered Paul, Manuel, Arsenio, Clara, Elsie and MaryAnn. It was a deep source of pain for her to have lost all her siblings. May they rest in peace. Amen. Fortunately for Adela, her sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews remained a source of great peace and joy. Without a doubt, the best medicine for Adela was a visit from the family of her siblings. Thank you all for the kindness you bestowed on your Auntie Della, you were better than medicine. In addition, to nieces and nephews, Adela was blessed to have the love of her hijados, hijadas, comadres and compadres, extended family and friends. Here again, a visit from any one of you was the best medicine she ever had to sustain her and help her reach 100!

Adios Adela and May God Grant you Safe Passage as you journey to Heaven.