Joanne Chavez

Joanne Bernadette Quintana Chavez
September 2, 1936 – November 24, 2021
After 2 months and 22 days of her 85th Birthday, Joanne Bernadette Quintana Chavez closed the chapter of her mortal life, and passed on to the next.
At 6:20 pm, in the presence of her children, and Hospice Care, she died peacefully. For over 6 bedridden months dealing with the brutal complications of Metastatic Cancer taking over her body, she closed her mortal eyes for the last time. The day before Thanksgiving was a day of profoundly deep loss and yet great joy. Only the innermost depths of heart can know of the grief of those left to carry on her name, and the greatest joy of so many who were part of Joanne's life.
She was born September 2, 1936 in Salida, Colorado. Birthed by a midwife, who after delivery was supposed to report the birth at the Chaffee County Courthouse but forgot. She was called to another delivery and did not file the requisite report. Effectively, Joanne was never legally born. Later in life she had to produce affidavits and written testimony from previously attended schools, family, and friends testifying of her existence. Much later in life she was able to get a passport, a major milestone for her.
She was born to parents Antonio Quintana and Ruby Baca Quintana. Mom told the story she had a stillborn older sister who was named 'Juana', Ruby liked the name, and decided to name her second child Juana, Spanish for Joanne.
She lived in Provo, Utah a short while as a youth then moved back to Denver, her beloved city.
Her siblings included Sonny, Jimmy, Ruth, Betty Jean.
Married Vernal P. Chavez eloped to Taos, New Mexico at 15 years, 3 months of age.
From November 1952 to September 1968 given life in her heart and home were Leland Chavez (Terrie), Kirt Chavez, Yanna Chavez Solleti, Rena Chavez Martin (Armando), Lance Chavez (Jane), Perry Chavez (Graciela), Felicia Chavez Banner (Robert), and Yevel Chavez Church (Rick).
Joanne lived in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Montana 4 years while her husband Vernal earned his Journeyman Electrician license working at the Anaconda plant. After awarded the license near Easter of 1960, the young family moved back to Denver.
Joanne is preceded in death by her parents Antonio Quintana and Ruby Baca Quintana; siblings Sonny, Jimmy, Ruth; great grandson Landon Banner, and her husband, Vernal P. Chavez–which marriage was solemnized for Time and All Eternity in the Denver Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Joanne's grandchildren include:
Eric, Amy, Brandon, Joshua, Audrey, Julisa, Jenny, Melissa, Jake, Matthew, Bryanna, Jeremy, Alicia, Jacob, Armando II., Maria, Risa, Wray, Natasha, Justin, Ethan, Monae, Trevor, Shay, Jaeden, Brohde.
From these most favorite grandchildren to Joanne come an already large number of great-grandchildren, to her great joy.
Serving as a Temple Matron at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints temple in Denver, allowed her spiritual side to come to fruition. She anticipated every Tuesday, her day of service.
Living 85 years serving 8 children with blossoming families, needs no description of the duties and challenges in this most wonderful lady's life. She lived grateful for her role as Mother, Counselor, and Friend.
Her legacy forever lives on, and gives poignant meaning to the adage; 'You can count all the seeds in an apple, but not all the apples in a seed'.
A viewing and funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the LDS chapel located at 6490 Quail Street in Arvada, Colorado.
All family and friends are invited to attend the viewing from 9:30 am – 10:45 am followed by the funeral services from 11:00 am – 12:15 pm.
Dedication of the gravesite and interment will be at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery in the Good Shepherd Mausoleum, Wheat Ridge, Colorado immediately following the funeral services.
Here is the Zoom link for the funeral: https://xactlycorp.zoom.us
People can also join by phone toll-free for audio-only at 1-855-880-1246. You can give this information to anyone you would like to have it.