Priscilla D. Chavez

Priscilla (Per, Pris) died on July 9, 2023. During her life she endured many challenges and suffered from many illnesses. Priscilla never gave up and because of her strong Catholic faith and trust in God, she had 83 years filled with many good times and happy memories.

Priscilla was born May 5, 1940 in Albuquerque, NM and lived her whole life in Albuquerque. She was preceded in death by her parents Tony and Dora Sandoval, beloved aunt Mercedes (Yelles) Baca, husband, George E. Chavez, Sr., son, George E. Chavez, Jr., grandchildren Jerome Chavez and Kandace Chavez, her grandparents, many aunts and uncles and a nephew, Paul Tafoya.

Priscilla is survived by her daughters Carla Silva, Marina Gutierrez (Chris) and Crystal Herrera. She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren, Brianna (Chavez) Medrano (Jayvis), Ross Chavez, Gianna (Gia) Chavez Perea, Christopher Gomez, Michael Silva, Jr (Felicia)., Juan Silva (Sabrina), Arianna Silva (Moe Tomardy), Alysha Silva, Antonio Gutierrez, Anjelica Herrera, Aleah Herrera, Alyssa Herrera and David Herrera, Jr. Priscilla has 8 great-children Michael Silva, III, Aliannah Silva, Jeremiah Armijo, Jasmine Silva, Savannah Silva, Alani Tomardy, Aiden Sosa-Gomez and Myles Sosa-Gomez. Also, her ex daughters/sons-in-law Krissy Gomez, Beverly Aranda, Cathy Perea, Michael Silva, Sr. and David Herrera.

Her surviving siblings, Rey Sandoval (Gerry), Lucia Turner (David), Al Sandoval (Lorrie) and Dorella Grabowski (Gale) and many cousins will miss Priscilla. Her best friend of 77 years and sister-in-law, Carmen Chavez has many cherished memories of their adventures through elementary and high school and all their adult lives since they met at Sacred Heart Catholic School when they were 6 years old.

She was a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews from the Sandoval and Chavez families. Priscilla is also survived by her brother-in-law, Joe Chavez and sisters-in-law, Isabel Chavez and Cecilia Padilla and Bessie Chavez. Her brothers and sisters-in-law Charlie Chavez, Al Chavez, Lino Chavez and Gilbert Padilla preceded her in death.

Priscilla graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1958. She quickly got a job with the Albuquerque Municipal Court judges. She worked for Judge Brown and Judge Maloney until she and her family moved to Santa Fe, NM where her husband, George, was stationed as a NM State Police Officer. While living in Santa Fe, Priscilla worked as the Office Manager for the State Corporation Commissioner. When she and George decided it was time to try a new adventure, they moved back to Albuquerque and started a business, Marina Construction. Priscilla worked diligently and contributed daily to the businesses many projects.

She was not all work and no play…..Priscilla thoroughly enjoyed a party and anytime she heard family or friends were going on a trip, she was ready to join the fun. She traveled to many countries on cruise ships with her brother, Rey and sister-in-law Gerry. Partied in Mexico and California with her husband’s family.

Every morning Priscilla greeted the day with her “good morning God” prayer. She recited it from memory and it is repeated below. Priscilla suffered from clinical depression and each day she prayed the rosary to ask Our Lord to help her overcome this challenge. At times in her life she was free from depression and at times she endured the redemptive suffering of the illness. Her family is grateful to Our Lord that she is no longer suffering from the many challenges, physically and mentally she endured while on this earth. May you rest in peace, Priscilla.

GOOD MORNING GOD PRAYER

Good morning God!

You are ushering in another day,

untouched and freshly new.

So here I am to ask you, God,

if You’ll renew me too.

Forgive the many errors that I made

yesterday,

and let me try again dear God

to walk closer in Your way.

Father, I am well aware,

I can’t make it on my own.

So take my hand and hold it,

For I cannot walk alone.

Service to celebrate Priscilla’s life will be held on Friday, August 4, 2023 at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 5712 Paradise Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM. Rosary will be recited at 9:30 am and Mass will be celebrated at 10:15 am. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM. Although Priscilla will be cremated, she requested pallbearers, her grandsons

Michael Silva, Jr., Juan Silva, Antonio Gutierrez, Ross Chavez, Christopher Gomez, and nephews Rick Padilla, and Richard (Topo) Lopez. Honorary pallbearers are grandchildren Arianna Silva, Brianna (Chavez) Medrano, Gianna (Gia) Chavez Perea, Anjelica Herrera, Aleah Herrera, Alyssa Herrera and David Herrera, Jr.

The family invites everyone to a reception at St. Jude Thaddeus Community Center, 5712 Paradise Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM following the interment.

If you wish to send flowers, please contact Priscilla’s favorite flower shop, Ives Flower Shop, 908 4th St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, Phone: 505-242-6011 or 505-242-0111