Dora S. - Age 88 - Espanola / El Rito Valdez

Dora S. Valdez, age 88, a resident of Española, formerly of El Rito, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2014. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years of marriage, Amado O. Valdez; her son, Ronald Valdez; grandson, Peter J. Valdez “PJ”; great grandson, Thomas Gutierrez; parents, Luis and Teodora Jimenez; brother, Joe Jimenez; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carpio and Emilia Valdez; grandparents who raised her beloved husband Amado, Emiliano and Prestina Valdez; brothers-in-law, Cristobal Montoya, and Gilbert Valdez; and sister-in-law, Elva McCarthy. Dora was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ms. Valdez was born on April 14, 1925, in Capulin Colorado. On June 7, 1943, she married the love of her life, Amado, in Agua, NM. Our mother was such an important part of her family. She was a special wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker who possessed an untouchable sense of integrity and who had great passion of love, strength, sacrifice, and wisdom for her family. And in the process, she taught the family a lot about the power of commitment, the importance of family, and how to get by in a less than perfect world. What a heart of gold, and a smile to warm everyone’s heart. Ms. Valdez was loved by many, and will be greatly missed. Mrs. Valdez is survived by her children, Peter Valdez and wife Tillie of Taos, David Valdez and wife Anna Marie of Chili, Steven Valdez and wife Viola of Albuquerque, Leo Valdez and companion Paula of Oklahoma, Annette Baker and husband Patrick of Velarde, and Bernadette Valdez of Santa Fe; daughter-in-law, Gloria Valdez of Glorieta; grandchildren, Juan Amado Valdez, David Valdez, Jr., Santana Valdez, Sara Johnson and husband Nathaniel, Trisha and husband Joe Orr, Ronald Valdez, Jr. and companion Lora, Paige Valdez, Amado Valdez, Brittany Baker, Brooke Baker, Adam Gallegos, Gail Rodriguez and husband Michael, Nathan Valdez-Neighbors and wife Amanda; great-grandchildren, Arianna, Camila, Gabriel, Camilia, Leah, Beatrice, Olivia, Kalub Dean, Eian Valdez and Lexin Arabella; sister, Anita Montoya of Alamosa, Colorado; brother-in-law, Franklin Valdez of Denver, CO; Donna Padilla whom Ms. Valdez considered as a daughter, as well as numerous other loving relatives and friends. Public visitation will begin on Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home where a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Canada with graveside services to follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:15p.m. Serving as pallbearers, Juan Amado Valdez, David Valdez, Jr., Ronald Valdez, Jr., Brittany Baker, Brooke Baker, and Santana Valdez. Honorary pallbearers named are all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family of Dora S. Valdez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of the Española Valley.

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