Elvira Maria Dietz

Elvira (Chatha) Maria Dietz was born on May 23, 1938, and passed away on Friday, July 3, 2020. Elvira was born in Torreon, New Mexico to the late Antonio and Dolritias (Lola) Lujan. Raised in and became a long-time resident of Albuquerque. She was 82 years old and a 30+ year resident of Tome, NM. She is survived by nine children, Phyllis Chavez, Joseph Chavez, David (Gwen) Chavez, Debb Dietz, Dennis (Colleen) Dietz, Tom (Donna) Dietz Ronald Dietz, Andy (Christine) Dietz, Michael (Debbie) Dietz; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; surviving sisters Erlinda Ortiz, Teresa Lujan and numerous nieces and nephews and friends. Elvira was preceded by husbands, Jose Ruben Chavez of 21 years and Arthur Vincent Dietz of 25 years.

Elvira started her career working on a farm in Corrales, NM weaving Chile(ristras) then moved on to become a librarian at Sacred Heart Catholic School and drove a transport vehicle for the county Head Start program. Elvira then moved on to bigger and better things as an Avon lady and graduated with honors from TVI with a Nursing Assistant diploma. She received her GED at age 40. In her 40-year career in the nursing field, she was very adept and worked in many departments (Specialties Clinic, Women’s health, Orthopedics, Neurology, Internal medicine, Family health, and many more.)  She started her career at BCMC (now UNMH) as a Nursing Assistant and ended as a Nursing Technician. Elvira also was interviewed by PBS in the mid-70’s about unionizing the labor force at BCMC, one of the first 10 UNMH to join the Union and created a better working environment for her fellow coworkers. She was targeted by supervisors to dissuade her from championing the union. Elvira was also a union steward. Since both her husbands were Korean War Veterans, Elvira felt it was important to support our Disabled Veterans in being a life Member of the DAVA. Elvira held several positions while an active member of DAVA and felt it was an honor to a part of the organization.

Elvira always felt the need to help other people no matter where on the ladder of life they stood. She was always there for those in need. Elvira enjoyed being a mentor to her family and helping them anyway she could. She always gave special attention and support in any way that she could to her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were all God’s gift to her. As she would always say to them, “God searched the whole earth for a family just for you and blessed our family with you”.

Elvira had a lot of profound things she said in her life but one of the things she said the most was that you have to hold on to the important things in life and her biggest joy in life was her children and her family.  She always would say, “Family first”.

May she rest in peace.