Josephine - Age 72 - Española Abeyta

JOSEPHINE “JOJO” V. ABEYTA, 72, a resident of Fairview, NM, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Jojo, as she preferred to be known, was the third and youngest child born to Margaret M. and Tito Valdez. Born at Fairview clinic on July 13, 1939. She lived most of her life in Fairview. She lived in Tucumcari for eight years where she went to live as a young bride. She attended San Juan Elementary School, Loretto Academy for girls in El Paso, Texas and graduated from Española High School. She also attended the University of New Mexico. She worked at First National Bank of Tucumcari, First National Bank of Rio Arriba and Valley National Bank for a combined total of 16 years. She retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory after 14 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest ‘Buddy” Abeyta; her youngest son, Jerome R. Abeyta, Sr., and mother-in-law, Amalia O. Abeyta; God-parents, Jose (Chere) and Lou Quintana; brothers-in-law, Howard Carolus, Bob Turnbeaugh, Ken Kemp, J. Charles Abeyta, Steve F. Abeyta; sisters-in-law, Virginia A. Thibodeaux and husband Wayne, Anita A. Roche and husband Norm, Ethel A. Yeast and husband Warren, Sylvia A. Harbison and husband Frank, Aurora L. Abeyta and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Abeyta is survived by her son, Jeffrey T. Abeyta of Las Cruces; grandchildren raised by her, Jerome E. “Gino” Abeyta and Jasmin M. Abeyta both of Fairview; brother, Ernest E. Valdez and wife Rita of Albuquerque; sister, Cordi Carolus and husband Charlie of Albuquerque; sisters-in-law, Lorinda Kemp of Albuquerque; Christine Turnbeaugh and Hope W. Abeyta of Tuscon, Arizona; brothers-in-law, Louis A. Abeyta and wife Josephine of Tucumcari; J.A. Abeyta Jr. and wife Betty Ruth of Carlsbad; and Norman R. Abeyta and wife Kathryn. Godchildren are J. Ramon and Exilda Martinez, Dan Abeyta, Tim Abeyta, Michael Farino, Gino Abeyta, and Valerie Klazura. Uncle, Larry Martinez and wife Candy; aunts Theresa Bachicha and husband Benny; Fran Bonnet and husband Frank, and Mary Ladner and husband Bob, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. All were very special and important to her during her life. To all who saw to her health, welfare, happiness, and spiritual health, Jojo says thank you and God bless you. Cremation has taken place. A rosary will be recited on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Peace of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, April 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Canada. Burial will take place on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 9:45 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. The family of Josephine “Jojo” V. Abeyta have placed their trust to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley (505)747-7477

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