Leticia "Tootsie" Chavez

Leticia (Tootsie) Chavez, a resident of Albuquerque, was surrounded by her loving family when she peacefully went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 after a brief illness. Tootsie was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. She was born on November 25, 1931 in Manzano, NM. One of her greatest accomplishments was graduating from high school and encouraging her children to pursue higher education. In her life, she loved to crochet, play bingo, go to the casino, watch her children and grandchildren's games, baseball, read (especially Western tales) but mostly she loved to take care of her family. She married Alonzo Chavez of Torreon, NM in 1956 and was a loving homemaker and mother throughout her life. Tootsie was always the parent who was the room mother, volunteer cupcake maker, chauffer for many games or just that go-to mom. She also generously took on the task of caring for many of her grandchildren through their school years. She was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Community for over 50 years. Tootsie was a very patriotic lady who loved God, her family and her country. She was a reserved, but classic beauty. She was famous for her homemade tortillas which is a fond memory of many of her children's friends to this very day.
She was preceded in death by her father, Manuel Griego Sr.; bothers, Manuel Jr., Max and Lalo; and sisters, Rose, Sally and Lila. She was also preceded in death by her mother, Ramona Sigala, who passed away when she was six years old. Tootsie was the last surviving member of this Griego generation and left a footprint that will be hard to fill. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Alonzo; six children, Barbara Chavez, Stella (Donald) LeFebre, Lizzi (Randy) Jay, Patrick (Liz), Matthew (Jean Ann) and Mo (Allison); 13 grandchildren, Kenny (Brandy), Valerie (Andy), Clarissa, Becki, Dustin (Kirsten), Billy (Deidra), Samantha, Zachary, Daniel, Ali, Julian, Gabe and Kyera; and five great-grandchildren, Adia, Isaiah, Marley, Ryan and Lily. We would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Legacy Hospice especially our mom's nurse, Nicole. Thank you for the loving care you extended to our special angel. Friends may visit on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 833 Arizona Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, May 7, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Interment will follow the services at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her seven grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be her six granddaughters. Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made in Tootsie's name to Holy Ghost Catholic Church.


FRENCH - Lomas
10500 Lomas Blvd. NE
505-275-3500