Sylvia "Silver" Chavez

Sylvia "Silver" Chavez, age 71, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her parents Rosela J. Carrera and Oliveros Jaramillo; brother Bobby Joe Herrera; sister Phyllis “Fillie” Sandoval; grandparents Oliver and Messina Jaramillo.

Silver is survived by her son Louie Chavez, Jr.; daughter Dalila Leyba (Miguel); her pride and joys grandchildren: Miguel, Jr., Brenda; sisters: Joann Lovato, Rosella Herrera, Gina Montez, Vivian Plakio; the jokers of her deck: Gabe Plakio and family; also many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family. 

Born on April 10, 1954, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Silver, as she was affectionately known due to her uncanny ability to find the silver lining in any deck of cards, was a high roller in the casino of life. Her interests weren't just hobbies; they were her passions. From the clang of penny slots to the swish of cards in a game of solitaire, Sylvia's heartbeat in sync with the sounds of shuffling decks. She was an ace when it came to card games, often holding court at the kitchen table surrounded by family, a deck of cards, and the unmistakable scent of her famous red chile enchiladas—with chile from Kathy's Restaurant. 

When not at the tables or stove, Sylvia could be found cheering on her beloved baseball teams, her commentary as spicy as her enchiladas. Her enthusiasm for the game was infectious. But ask anyone, and they'd tell you Sylvia's grand-slam in life wasn't her culinary skills or her card-shark status, but her grandchildren. They were the light in her life, the royal flush in her hand of cards, and she considered them her most important success. They were the ones who truly knew how to deal with her feisty, caring, and loving nature. She showed her love not with sappy words, but with fierce loyalty, a sharp wit, and a readiness to go to bat for them anytime. 

Sylvia lived life by always wanting to have fun and to live life her way, and she embodied this through and through. A pack rat with a heart of gold, she held on to everything—from memories to memorabilia, each item a story, a laugh, or a testament to her full and vibrant life. 

As the final curtain falls on Sylvia's extraordinary life, we won't say goodbye, but rather "deal me in" to the memories she's left behind. Her laughter will echo in the hearts of those who loved her, and her stories will be told and retold, each time with a chuckle and a twinkle in the eye, just as she would have wanted. 

Sylvia "Silver" Chavez played her hand well, and though she's folded her final hand, the game of life was all the richer for her having been a player. Here's to Sylvia—a true original, a winner in every game, and a legend in her own right.

A Rosary will be recited in Sylvia’s honor on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 6:00pm at Salazar Mortuary located at 400 Third St. SW, 87102. Sylvia will be laid to rest at San Ignacio Cemetery in Sedillo, New Mexico at a later date.