Ophelia Chavez

Ophelia D. Chavez, age 98, born in Placita, Taos County, New Mexico, and a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  In the early morning hours of February 24, 2024, God took our beautiful and loving mother and grandmother to Heaven. Hours before her death, her family, of whom she cherished, had gathered around her to sing and pray and give her their love and thanks. She was at peace.

Ophelia was born on July 22, 1925, to Juan B. Mascarenas and Simonita Sisneros. She attended school in Penasco, NM, and graduated from Penasco High in 1944. She then attended College at NM Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM. She earned her teaching degree and eventually went home to Penasco to teach elementary school.  

During Ophelia's time in college, she would meet the love of her life walking to church. She and Bennie E. Chavez were married in 1948 at St. Anthony’s Church in Penasco, NM. Their romance and love story lasted 54 years, until Bennie’s death.  

In 1950, after teaching elementary school grades 1st through 4th, Ophelia and Bennie moved to Albuquerque’s North Valley, where they resided together and raised their family of 6 children. Although she stopped teaching elementary school to raise her family, she found joy in being the central figure in her children and grandchildren’s lives. She always made you feel important and needed. Her home was a safe haven, and her kitchen was always open for you to stop over and visit, grab a bite to eat or even spend the night. She had a natural talent for bringing people together and you could always smell something delicious on the stove. Her advice was empowering, and you never walked away from her without something to think about.  She had an abundance of faith; she was a member of the Sodality of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart; she taught catechism to the children in her parish. Ophelia would always say you need something to keep you busy in life so she worked at the Fair Department Store, in Albuquerque and as a Custodian at Kirtland Airforce Base where she would clean the daycare facility. The children at the daycare would run to her.  She was magnetic and people just wanted to be around her.  

She taught everyone around her resilience, consideration, and the joy of simple moments. She had a beautiful singing voice and in her earlier years, she would sing with her sister and brothers, while they played guitar. Her laughter echoed through generations, and she loved to dance.  Even at 98, she was still reaching for your hand to dance with you. Her love was boundless, and that love was reciprocated by all -- she will forever be missed.  

She is survived by her children, Barbara Jacques & husband, Louis, Melvin Chavez & wife, Loretta, Michael Chavez, Tom Chavez, Mark Chavez and Cindy Chavez; grandchildren, Kimberlee and husband Julian Struck, Shannon and husband John Raimondi, Robbie and fiance Kelly Gonzales, Brandon and girlfriend Sofia Lucero, Justine and husband Robby Gallegos, Adrienne, James, Matthew & Jordan; 12 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild; brother Candido Mascarenas, brother in-law Ignacio Chavez, brother in-law, Cecil Lea; sister in-law, Mary Mascarenas; many nieces, nephews & Godchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Chavez, grandson Michael Chavez and parents, Juan B. & Simonita Mascarenas.  

  A Visitation will take place Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 10:15am with a Rosary to be recited by Father Tim Martinez at 10:30am and a Mass to follow Rosary at 11:00am all to be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church 1860 Griegos Rd NW. Interment will take place Friday, March 15, 2024 at 9:30am at the Santa Fe National Cemetery where Mrs. Chavez will be laid to rest with her husband, Bennie Chavez.