CHAVEZ, Cecilia (Sally)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 12/09/2014 Cecilia “Sally” Chavez, 80, of Springerville died Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, in Chandler. She was born Aug. 22, 1934, in the San Jose neighborhood of Albuquerque, N.M., to Pedro and Candelaria Vargas. A longtime resident of Springerville, she met her husband Johnny S. Chavez in Albuquerque and they were married Nov. 29, 1950. Sally was a devoted wife, mother and community member having served on the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the choir at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Springerville. She also volunteered at Casa San Pedro, a charitable affiliate of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Sally was well known and beloved by all she knew and will be remembered for the love and laughter that she brought daily to her family and friends giving harmony to the melody of their lives and always thinking of others before herself. Her generosity knew no bounds and she was a true example of piety, unconditional love, acceptance and beauty. Her presence and beautiful smile will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Sally is survived by her husband of 64 years, Johnny S. Chavez; sisters Emma Reyna of Los Angeles, Calif., and Lolly Giere of Albuquerque, N.M.; son Johnny V. (Debbie) Chavez of Phoenix; daughters Sadie (Orlando) Montoya of Albuquerque, N.M., Bernice Chavez of Springerville and Lorraine (Rick) Alvarez of Chandler; four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. A rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Springerville with a memorial Mass following at 10 a.m. Interment will be held at the Springerville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Springerville. If you would like to leave an online condolence for Sally’s family, visit www.burnhammortuary.com. Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled arrangements.