Ivelisse Vivas Cates

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ivelisse Vivas Cates, who passed away peacefully in Albuquerque, NM, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the age of 85. Born November 23, 1939, in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1980. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was known for her love of her family, her love for cooking and having family around her. She was also a devout Catholic and loved her church community at Risen Savior, which she belonged to for over 40 years. We will miss her joyful greetings every time we walked through the door. She is survived by her husband, Wallace Cates, her children: Diana Cates, James Cates, Charles (Tina) Cates and Wanda (Ray) McKinney, her grandchildren: Jessica (Raymond) Martinez, Kevin Frazier, Stephen Frazier and Benjamin Cates and great grandchildren: Evann Chavez, Max Martinez, Christian Martinez and Emma Martinez. A funeral mass will be held at Risen Savior Catholic Church on August 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

You were the sun in our lives, the hummingbird that greeted us, the butterfly that fluttered in our hearts, the geranium that always blossomed. You were outspoken, shy but not afraid.