 CHAVEZ, NILA I. 1923-2012 age 89, a life-long resident of Belen, passed away on Monday, November 26 after a long illness. She was born on June 25, 1923 in Belen, the daughter of Remelia and Rafael David Baca. Nila was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church and a life-long member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the Sacred Heart Society. She graduated from Belen High School in 1941. She was first married in 1946 and moved to San Francisco, California where all five of her children were born. She returned to New Mexico in 1956 and worked for the City of Belen from 1962 until her retirement in 1985. She married Manuel Chavez in 1973 and has resided in Belen. She has always demonstrated a great love for her church and family. Nila's calm demeanor was her greatest strength and admiration by her family. She loved to bowl and take walks with her friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Reuben and Vidal; one sister, Emilia; and the father of her children, Juan J. Pea. Nila is survived by her husband of 39 years, Manuel C. Chavez; son, James Pena and wife, Sherry of Prescott, AZ; daughters, Lorraine Padilla and husband Preme of Belen, Joanne Knight and husband, Bob of Santa Fe, NM, Arlene Hays and husband, Jonnie of Durango, CO, and Jeannette Hiner and husband, Larry of Naperville, IL, three step-children, Dennis Chavez and wife, Belinda of Los Lunas, Luisa Lucero of Tome, and Clifford Chavez of Los Lunas; five sisters, Lucy Metzner, Gertrude Sisneros, Celine Baca, Eloria Rhoades and husband, Dusty and Mary Tearnan and husband, Bob; three brothers, Abe Baca, Herman Baca and wife, Mary and Isaias Baca and wife, Patricia; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-one great grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces, and ten step-grandchildren and fifteen step-great grandchildren. The family extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Malcolm H. Purdy, MD, Debbie Winkeljohn, CNS and the other nurses and staff at Hematology Oncology Associates of Albuquerque, NM for the loving care given during her long illness. All services will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church beginning with a Viewing on Wednesday, November 28 at 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Final Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 29 at 9:30 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren. Sign Nila's online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM
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