Rose Evelyn Cordova

Rose Cordova, the fiercely loving, feisty, fun, pistol of a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, friend, and so much more, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Saturday, March 21, 2020.

At the time of her passing, she was a radiant 102 years old and she left this world surrounded with the love of her beloved son, Chris, and his daughter Elizabeth.

Rose, a devout Catholic, was born in Trujillo, New Mexico to Margarito Gonzales and Conferina (Lucero) Torres on December 14, 1917. Her parents passed away from the Spanish Influenza and she was raised from the age of four until sixteen at the Loretto Orphanage in Santa Fe (now the Inn of Loretto). She later graduated from Albuquerque High School, and married Raul Jose Cordova on December 26th, 1938. In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Rose was a talented seamstress, a phenomenal cook, and a quiet activist who passionately supported the Hispanic rights movement in New Mexico and beyond.

Rose is preceded in death by her parents, six siblings, also daughters Connie Maestas and Yvonne Gordon, and grandsons James Cordova and Christian Mitchell.

She is survived by son Chris Cordova and his children Elizabeth Cordova and Charles Cordova; daughter Rosemarie Dutton and husband Gilmore Dutton and their five children: Gilmore Dutton and spouse Donna Greenwell Dutton, Paul Dutton, Kathryn Dutton-Mitchell and spouse Louis Mitchell, Julie Stewart and spouse Chris Stewart, and Casey Dutton-Triplett and spouse Tres Triplett; Yvonne’s children, daughter Christy Gordon Baty and spouse Gabi Baty, and son Anthony Gordon and spouse Kylee Swenson Gordon; and Connie’s children, son Robert Romero and spouse Theresa Tolentino, son Patrick Romero, and daughter Gina Link and spouse Kenny Link. Through her beautiful network of children and grandchildren, Rose is also survived by 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to all the committed, loving caregivers and health professionals who supported her in leading a full life to the very end.

The family will host a small, private burial in compliance with New Mexico's current restrictions on gathering. If you would like to view the body to pay your respects, you may visit Salazar Mortuary on Friday, March 27, 2020 between 10am and 11am.

Salazar's staff will limit guests inside to five at a time and ensure that appropriate sanitizing and social distancing guidelines are followed for everyone's safety.

Our deepest thanks to the Salazar family for their long-time friendship and their loving support in providing for Rose’s arrangements.

A full Celebration of Life will be organized when everyone is able to gather safely.

Please follow the Celebrating Rose Cordova Facebook page for updates as plans progress.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rose Evelyn Cordova, please visit our floral store.