Concepcion Bustamante

Our dear mother Concepcion (Connie/Concha) Bustamante, 89, formerly of Polvadera, NM passed away peacefully at her home in McMurray, PA on November 18, 2022.  

She was born in San Marcial, NM on March 14, 1933, to Filomeno Alvarez and Ignacita Chavez-Alvarez.  She married Alberto Bustamante on April 25,1952 in Mesilla, NM.  In 1953 they moved to Escondida, NM and shortly thereafter to Polvadera, NM where she began her life’s journey as a farmer’s wife.

She was no stranger to hard work on a farm. As a youngster, she balanced schoolwork and working in the fields alongside her siblings.  She chopped cotton and weeded acres of chili, vegetables, and other crops during the growing seasons, then helped hand pick, prepare, load, and ship these to market at harvest time.  She was also no stranger to the challenges of caring for children.  As the sixth of thirteen siblings, she became responsible for helping her parents care for younger siblings that came after her.

Within fifteen short years after marrying, she was raising seven children of her own, ages 1 through 15.  The phrase “stay-at-home-mom” probably did not exist then, and if it did, it would not have done her justice.  Just like she balanced schoolwork and picking chili, vegetables, and cotton as a youth, she balanced staying home to care for their children while often engaging in field work to support their young family. She had two jobs; both were extremely hard. She did not do these out of obligation, but because of who she was.  While it is impossible to have been a perfect mother or wife, she demonstrated countless ways of being an exceptional mother and wife during her time with us.   

She was artistic in many ways and had a particular passion for painting.  All the hard work she put into every piece of art she created always showed.  Those seeing her artwork for the first time were immediately drawn to it.  Many would find something new to love about a piece of her art every time they saw it.  Another passion was the beautiful rose garden that she nurtured for many years. It was her pride and joy, the signature feature of their property that inspired her to name their small farm El Rancho de Las Rosas, las Chuparosas y Las Mariposas (Ranch of the Roses, Hummingbirds, and Butterflies).  Her artistic and gardening gifts brought smiles to many faces.

No matter the hardships and challenges, she endured throughout her life, or the ailments she had during the later stages of her life, she was always determined. When anyone else might have broken, there was no quit in her, she always remained strong. Through her, we all learned what resilience and perseverance truly look like.  She will be dearly missed.

She was predeceased by her husband of 69 years Alberto Bustamante, parents, Filomeno and Ignacita Alvarez; sons, Victor and Richard Bustamante; Alvarez brothers, Enselmo, Filomeno Jr., Alex, George, and Johnny; and sisters Bertha Alvarez, Elvira Garcia and Bernada Gamboa, and is survived by daughters, Rose and husband Rey Armijo of Peoria, AZ and Pamela Bustamante Long of Johnstown, CO; sons, Louis Bustamante and wife Denise of Mead, CO, Albert Bustamante of McMurry, PA, and Eugene Bustamante of Polvadera, NM; brothers Guadalupe Alvarez of Las Cruces, NM and Edward Alvarez and wife Francis of Las Cruces, NM; sisters Paula Ornelas of Farmington, NM and Sylvia and husband Martin Arrey of Las Cruces, NM; and her 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Viewing will take place on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Daniels Family Funeral Services Chapel at 309 Garfield Street, Socorro, NM.  A Rosary and Mass are scheduled on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the San Lorenzo Catholic Church in Polvadera, NM.  Burial will follow at the San Lorenzo Catholic Cemetery.