Exilda R. - Age 71 - Española Pacheco

EXILDA R. PACHECO, age 71, went home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, after a long and brave battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).\r\nEx, as she was affectionately called, was also known as Mita to many people. She was born to the late Vianes and Josefina Rodriguez and grew up in the Española Valley. She graduated from Española High School in May 1960, immediately enlisted in the U.S. Women’s Army Corps (WAC), and received an honorable discharge in June 1962. \r\nUpon returning to Española, she married Joseph Pacheco, who predeceased her. Their son, Dominic Pacheco, also preceded her in death in August 1986. \r\nEx retired from the City of Española Finance Division and enjoyed working in her yard and spending time with her beloved family.\r\nEx leaves behind her only daughter, Christine (Tina) Romero and her husband Anthony; her only granddaughter, Andrea Gallegos and her husband Jarried and their two sons, Landon and Noah, who knew her as “Tash.” The love she had for her great grandsons was unconditional. \r\nEx had a special, unique relationship with each of her siblings. Those who survive her are her sisters Isabel Kavanaugh, Ernestine Spruce, and Luci Maestas and husband Leonard; her brothers Elias and Carlos and wife Sally. Her youngest brother, Joseph (Larry) preceded her in death.\r\nAlso surviving her are her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Rupert Gonzales and husband Charles, Florence Lopez, Joanie Pacheco, Bryan and Ted Pacheco and a dear and special aunt, Denny Abeyta as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.\r\nHeartfelt thanks go out to the many people who helped Mita and our family walk with her through her long illness. Very special thanks to her present and past caregivers: Adriana, Veronica, Marta, Laura, Lupita, and Wanda. Mil gracias por el cariño con que quidaron a Mita. Thanks also to the caring staff of Ambercare Hospice, Ashlee, her hospice nurse, the New Mexico ALS Association, Preferred Homecare, Dr. Molly King and the medical staff of the VA Hospital and Española VA clinic, and the UNMH staff, especially Dr. Sarah Youssof and our beloved Nittaya Johnson, R.N. At the onset of Mita’s illness, we were blessed by the loving care of her primary doctor Jodi Casados and Maggie Trivino from the Los Alamos Visiting Nurses and many other wonderful people. A big hug of thanks to all of you!\r\nA wake will be held on Monday, November 4, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorial mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Española. Burial to be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 12:45 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Anthony Romero and Jarried Gallegos. Honorary pallbearers are her great-grandsons, Landon and Noah.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Exilda’s memory to ALS Association, New Mexico Chapter, 2309 Renard Pl. S.E., Suite 202, Albuquerque, NM 87106 or you may donate online by going to their website at www.alsanm.org. The family of Exilda Rodriguez Pacheco has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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