Carmen Rodriguez Chavez

Carmen Rodriguez Chavez passed away on October 27,2023 at the age of 98.

She was born Carmen Rodriguez on September 9, 1925 in Clovis, NM. Her family moved to Amarillo, TX when she was 3 years old, and then to Albuquerque, NM when she was a young teenager.

Carmen was the third oldest of a family of twelve, she had eight sisters and three brothers. Eight of her beloved siblings preceded her in death. She is survived by three treasured siblings: a sister Julia and two brothers, George and Frank.

In 1937, when she was 12, Carmen met Fred Chavez, Jr while he was delivering groceries to her house on Hazeldine. The story is that she and her sister Maggie saved him from the jaws of Hercules, the biggest meanest dog ever. She loved him up from that moment until she died, and was looking forward to being reunited with him.

Carmen was the first woman manager of a Sears Hardware department. After retiring at 60 years old, she earned both a Bachelors and a Masters Degree in History from the University of New Mexico. She was a prolific blanket, apple butter, and biscuit maker, avid reader, scrabble powerhouse and daily cryptoquip puzzler.

Fred and Carmen had two sons, Fred and Vincent, and a daughter, Cindi. For 55 years, they opened their home and hearts to two “adopted” daughters, Irene and Marie as well. In addition, they are survived by 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren and hundreds of lucky people who looked to them for advice and support.

Carmen had a warm and loving nature that made her beloved by everyone who had the good fortune to meet her. She was the matriarch of our large extended family, a mentor to many and a ray of sunshine to all.

Carmen's Life Celebration will begin with a Rosary on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 6:00 pm at Shrine of the Little Flower St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church located at 3424 Fourth St. NW, 87107. Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 9:00 am also at Shrine of the Little Flower St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church. Reception will follow Mass inside the church's parish hall. Carmen will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at 1:30pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery located at 501 N. Guadalupe St. 87501.