Celina R. Chavez

       Celina, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt & friend, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023, at the age of 91.

       Celina was born on March 20, 1932, in Los Chavez, NM. She is preceded in death by husband, Preciliano Chavez; daughter, Donna Chavez; granddaughter, Antoinette Ann; mother, Emilia Sedillo-Garcia; father, Benjamin Garcia; sisters Salome Lopez, Bertha Herrera, and Virginia Garcia; brothers Jose, Baltazar, & Perfecto Garcia. She was the last surviving sibling in the Garcia family.

       Celina is survived by daughters Lucy Vasquez & husband, Dan; Rosemary Cordova and husband, Mike; and Frances Chavez. She is also survived by grandchildren Chris Vasquez and wife, Amanda; Michelle Vasquez-Herrera and husband, Jason; Danielle Levstik and husband, Mark; Eric Cordova & wife, Erin; and Jason Cordova. She is also survived by great grandchildren Ryan Adair, Mia & Marissa Herrera, Kennedy and Matthew Levstik; Sailor, Jet, and Cade Cordova, Noah and Alexandra Vasquez, and many nieces and nephews.

       Celina was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and was guided in life by her faith. She was a caring, gracious, and unselfish woman who always put others above herself. Our mom had an art for writing. She would send out cards for every occasion and these cards always included words of encouragement, thanks, love and prayers. She loved reading inspirational books and listening to nostalgic music (never missed Lawrence Welk show).

       Celina was the light and heart of our family and a ray of sunshine to not only her family but those she met along the way. Mom’s greatest joy were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her physical presence will be missed everyday but we will always feel blessed and grateful to have had her in our lives and she will always and forever live in our hearts. Love you, Mom.

       Special thanks to Hospice of NM who guided us through this journey with special thanks to Kristy Hardy (our mom’s “special” nurse), JoAnna Brightwater, Chaplain Dottie Moss, James Gonzales, Kim Montgomery, Loren, and Natalie.

       Thank you Father Charles McCarthy and thank you Brian Colon for contacting Father McCarthy for us when we started this journey. Thank you also to Father Christopher Hallada, Deacon Cabrera, and Charlotte Flores at our Lady of Guadalupe.

       Celina’s Life Celebration will begin with Viewing at 2:00pm, Tuesday, December 5, 2023, followed by Rosary at 3:00pm and Video at 3:30pm, Daniels Funeral Chapel, 3113 Carlisle, NE

        Mass will take place Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 10:30 am, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1860 Griegos Road, NW, and laid to rest at Mt. Calvary (following mass), 1900 Edith, NE.