Juanita Rosalia ("Jennie") Chavez

Chavez, “Jennie” Juanita Rosalia

Our dearest mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Jennie Chavez  passed away on Sunday, December 23, 2018. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Arturo, Lorenzo, Lucrecia, Henry, Atanacio, and Candido. She had recently celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday, July 13, 2018 with her many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.  It was the best birthday party!  She was so grateful that her family hosted such an event, just for her!  She absolutely loved it!!  Thank you to all that assisted with the party.

Jennie was born in El Duende, NM into the family of Lorenzo and Josephina Trujillo.  She was the eldest child followed by her siblings Arturo, Lorenzo, Lucrecia, Henry, Atanacio and Candido Trujillo.  At the age 16, Jennie moved to Santa Fe to work as a housekeeper and nanny.  She was proven to be a hard worker and would always provided clothes and school supplies to her younger siblings.  She married Manuel Chavez and had a son, Jerry in 1950. She was so proud of her husband and considered him her equal partner.  All three moved to Albuquerque in 1959.  Though Jennie continued her summer trips to El Duende to help her mother clean her home, she often used this time to visit with her family.  Even though she didn’t formally work, she saved what little money from the household budget to help her family with graduations and weddings.

Manuel and Jennie would ride the greyhound bus, traveling the Southwest.  They would attend the Dukes baseball games and were known to enjoy eating ice cream on their front porch. They hosted the best Thanksgiving meals with her cousins, son, his wife, and her grandchildren.  Despite these expenses, she still managed to save money and food for those most in need.

Jennie’s hospitality did not end there.  Anyone who visited her home remembers that no one left her house hungry or at least enjoying talking about the family over her yummy coffee and cookies.  According to some, Jennie had established the fact that not only was it her home away from home to share with her husband and son, but it was a home away from home for the countless visitors she had when they would come to Albuquerque and needed a place to stay.  Some would say that her house was a like 5 star hotel without having to pay or make any donations.  All were welcomed into her home for a warm, home cooked meal.

In 1975, she unexpectedly lost her Manuel.  She still continued to host Thanksgiving meals in her home until she decided to move to Santa Fe.  When it was time, she decided to move to Santa Fe to be close to her son and family.

She will always hold a special place in her heart for her family and is survived by Isabel and Horacio, all her nieces, nephews, her son, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and cousins. We will never forget the hospitable pink house in old town and it’s bright and vibrant owner.  She will always be on our minds and in our hearts.  I can still hear her saying,

“Come in and eat!  You can eat whatever you want in heaven, so sientate y