Rhiana Elenor Cordova

Rhiana (Spam) Cordova – March 6th, 2025

Rhiana (Spam) Cordova, of Chimayo, New Mexico, passed away March 6, 2025, at the Espanola Presbyterian Hospital at the age of thirty-five from a lengthy illness.

Rhiana was born on September 30th, 1989, in Santa Fe, New Mexico to her parents Michael and Eufemia Cordova. 

Rhiana was preceded in death by her father Michael Cordova who she loved and missed very much; paternal grandfather Arturo Cordova and uncle Joseph Cordova; maternal grandfather Corpentino Vigil; Floraida Vigil who she knew and loved as her grandmother; grandmother Guadalupe Vigil; God-brother Jacob Sanchez; uncle Charlie Martinez, Nelson, Wally, Gerald, Mark and Corpy Vigil; cousins Antonio, Pablo, Terrance, Ernie Vigil and Richard (Richie) VanSwearingen.

Rhiana is survived by her mother Eufemia Cordova and her four loving children Iziah, Izyrell, Zia and Zaneya Sandoval; father of her children Neil Sandoval; special friend David Romero; brother Jerome Cordova and niece Carma Cordova; God-parents Leonard and Lupita Sanchez; God-brother Jonathan Sanchez (Lupe); nephew Jasiah Sanchez who she loved and considered as a son; paternal grandmother Silva Cordova; uncle Arthur Cordova (Luana), Kenny Cordova; maternal aunt Vivian Koteen (Ralph), Shila Salazar, Isabel Archuleta (Donald), Nora Lucille Baca (Joe), Gloria Martinez, Antonette and Norma Vigil, Batrice Vigil Angela Maestas and uncle Lee Roy Martinez (Marie ); best friend Lorencita (Nana) Martinez whom she considered as a sister; and many cousins and friends.

As a child Rhiana was very private and shy. As she matured as a young adult, she had numerous friends. She would always go out of her way to help them when needed. Rhiana enjoyed spending time and going on family vacations with her brother, Jerome, and cousins who she called brothers Jonathan Sanchez, Jacob Sanchez, Wilfredo Salazar, and her best friend Lorencita (Nana) Martinez. She enjoyed spending her summers in Las Vegas Navada at her favorite Aunt Shiela’s house.

Rhiana attended the Job Corp where she received the Presidential Award and her diploma. She was immensely proud of her accomplishment and her goal was to become a nurse someday. Rhiana worked at McDonalds and Sonic in Espanola and Los Alamos. In attempting to reach her goal as a nurse she provided home health care to seniors.

Rhiana loved her mother Eufemia and knew she could depend on her mother to help her raise and take care of her four wonderful children, Iziah, Izyrell, Zia and Zaneya. Although Rhiana struggled, she knew her children were a blessing and made sure they were loved, taken care of, and had what they needed. They were her pride and joy. She especially appreciated all the care and support that was provided by Tia Lupita, cousins, Joyce Pacheco and Vera Vigil toward her and her children.

Rhiana will be dearly missed by those who knew her and loved her.

Special thanks to all who brought food, prayers and those who called the family. The Ambulance Service, Presbyterian ER medical staff and Jacob Shaw and staff with DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11:00 am at San Juan de Bautista Catholic Church at Ohkay Owingeh, with burial to follow at La Villita Catholic Cemetery in Alcalde, NM.

Pall Bearers: Jerome Cordova, Jonathan Sanchez, Jasiah Sanchez, Wilfredo Salazar, David Romero, Lorencita (Nana) Martinez, and her four children.

The family of Rhiana Cordova has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.  www.devargasfuneral.com   505-747-7477