A celebration of life for Mayme Mae Chavez will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Ertel Memorial Chapel with Reverend Betty Jo Chavez officiating. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery.
Mayme was born on May 8, 1933, in Cherry Creek, Colo. to James Santiago Candelaria and Sofrania (Atencio) Candelaria. She passed away at her home on Oct. 17, 2013, at the age of 80.
She married the love of her life, Abe Levi Chavez, on Jan. 12, 1953, in Aztec, N.M. They enjoyed their life together in Cortez. Mayme enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially taking care of her great grandkids. Her favorite activities were fishing, camping, gardening, dancing with her grandkids every Saturday and teaching the girls how to cook. Mayme valued tradition and taught recipes to the tune of add a “little bit of this and a little bit of that.” Her favorite television shows were “All My Children,” “Wheel of Fortune,” and “Dallas.” Whenever she had down time, she would visit the Casino to drop a dime or two. She was highly dedicated to her career, which started at Havran’s Dry Cleaners and ended with retirement at Montezuma County Health Department.
Mayme is survived by her children, James Chavez and wife, Teresa of Midland, Texas, Agnes Quintana and husband, Gary of Cortez, Colo., Patricia (Trish) Coulter and husband, Ray of Las Vegas, Nev., Abe Chavez Jr. and wife, Rebecca of Ceres, Calif., and Betty Jo Chavez of Albuquerque; her grandchildren, Amie-Sue Archibeque and husband, Jason, Jennifer Quintana and husband, Jimmy Wilson, Joshua Chavez and wife, Haley Boehme, Michelle Lopez, Immanuel Rowe and wife, Debbie, and Felicia Rowe. Mayme’s great grandchildren are Akiesha and Dylan Archibeque, Dayton, Tyler, Sydnee, and Jenna Wilson, Cameron Reynolds, Jade and Hunter Rowe, and James Sanders.
Mayme was preceded in death by her parents, James Santiago and Sofrania Candelaria; her husband, Abe Levi Chavez; sister, Lillian Nevin; and brothers, Leo, Elio, and James Santiago Jr.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Montezuma, P.O. Drawer 740 Cortez, CO 81321.
Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.