Rachel Lopez Chavez

Rachel Lopez Chavez of Santa Fe, New Mexico and former longtime resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Norman, Oklahoma, passed away July 18, 2021, at the age of 93. Rachel was born in a family converted boxcar on a siding in Ft. Collins, CO while her father was working for the railroad. She used to tell her children that she was one of the original Boxcar Children. She was raised in various communities in Northern New Mexico and called the town of Ocate her longtime home. In 1948 she went to Las Cruces to attend New Mexico Agriculture and Mechanical Arts College majoring in business where she met and married the love of her life, Tomas Chavez. After a few years as a mother and housewife, Rachel entered the workforce as the first bi-lingual receptionist at the El Paso Electric Company, meeting a need that had been sorely lacking for years. Rachel had a number of interesting jobs during her career with the longest being the opening and running of Tiny Tot Playschool for 11 years. In 1979 with all the children grown and gone from home, Rachel and Tomas moved to Norman OK for a new job for Tomas, and to start a new phase of their lives together. Rachel and Tomas retired from their respective jobs after several years and began to enjoy the life of volunteer work. Through their work with their church, Meals on Wheels, and various civic groups, they were recognized as Volunteers of the Year in 1992. Fulfilling her lifelong dream of travel, Rachel and Tomas took trips to Europe, Canada, Mexico and across the US going as far as Hawaii on several occasions. Rachel and Tomas raised 7 children stressing from an early age the importance of education and manners. Their proudest accomplishment was that all 7 children enrolled at New Mexico State University after graduating high school.

Rachel is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Tomas and by their son Paul. She is survived by her daughter Becky Evans (Mark) of Bakersfield, CA, son Tomas Chavez (Adela) of Kalaheo, HI, daughter Maryanne Oller (John) of Dallas, TX, daughter Teena Riley (Steve) of Bethany Beach, DE, daughter Judy Lane (Rocky) of Charlotte, NC, daughter Suzie Chavez of Santa Fe, NM, sister Becky Schwarcz of Phoenix, AZ and brother Art Lopez (Pat) of Mission, Tx.  In addition, she is survived by 13 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.

The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to our sister Suzie who looked over and cared for Rachel and Tomas during their last years with us all.

There will be a celebration of life has been postponed due to Covid concerns.  A new date will be posted once determined.

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