Priscilla Mercedes Candelaria

Priscilla Mercedes Martinez Candelaria

February 5, 1939 - December 13, 2023

Priscilla Mercedes Candelaria, after 84 years, left to be with her Lord and Savior and her husband Joe of 62 years on Wednesday December 13, 2023. She was preceded in death by the love of her life Joe I. Candelaria, Jr., her brother Richard Martinez, her oldest brother Ely Paul (Sunny) Martinez, her parents Ely and Mercedes Martinez. Priscilla was born February 5, 1939, in Albuquerque, NM.

She leaves behind her four daughters along with their families. Tina Griego and husband Darren of Albuquerque, NM, and their children Serina, Jayseph also of Albuquerque, and Julian who resides in California. Annette Joyner and husband David of La Luz, NM, and their children Dela of Santa Fe, NM, Matti and husband Caleb Sokoll of Albuquerque, NM, Katie of Colorado Springs, and Drew also of Colorado Springs. Diana Hamby and husband Dan of Hillsboro, OR and their children Brandon and Adam. Joanne Lucero and husband Gary of Tijeras, NM, and their son Gary Jr. And two great grandchildren Jayseph Jr. and Mila Rose Griego of Albuquerque, NM.

Priscilla graduated from Highland High School in 1957. She was in high school when she met Joe at Second Presbyterian Church where she and her parents attended. The two were inseparable singing together in the church choir. The preacher at the time was Rev. Jose I Candelaria, Joe's dad, who officiated their marriage on June 18, 1960, after their 5-year engagement. She and Joe then led the church's youth group for many years. Due to their creative and innovative methods, they touched many lives of young church members and brought them closer to God.

Priscilla raised her daughters and numerous other kids in after school care while being a stay-at-home mom. When her own children were older, she began working for the Albuquerque Public School System in several different areas. They included Kennedy Middle School as a bilingual educational assistant, Governor Bent Elementary School, Duranes Elementary School, and La Luz Elementary School as a nurse's aide, and at the Graphics Services and Del Norte High School as a workroom aide. She was also a vital support for her husband, who taught at Del Norte, helping and volunteering for his VICA club at the school. She retired from the Albuquerque Public School system in 1995.

While maintaining work and family life, she learned how to decorate cakes with a dear friend and her love of cakes gave her a chance to share her very talented gift with so many friends, family, and sometimes, complete strangers.

She was a very spirited and loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and Christian. Her memory will live on throughout all the children's lives for which she cared for deeply.

A viewing will be held at FRENCH-University, Friday, January 5, 2024, from 6-8pm. Her memorial service will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Second Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Robert Woodruff presiding. Immediately following the service, she will be interred at Sunset Memorial Park with a reception to follow back at Second Presbyterian Church for food and fellowship.