Obituary of Rita M. (Chavez) Baldonado

Rita M. (Chavez) Baldonado, 87, beloved Mother, Sister, Auntie and Grandmother passed away on November 2, 2023. Rita was born on March 14, 1936 and resided in Corrales during her childhood and Albuquerque during her adult life.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents Carlos Chavez and Rose Chavez, her sisters Rose Silva, Laura Chavez, Nancy Lester, Isabel Wilder, Agnes Hester, brothers Augustine Chavez, Justo Chavez, Salomon Chavez; and her son Albino Lesperance, daughter in law Veronica Lesperance, granddaughters Monique and Rachel Lesperance.

Rita is survived by her sister Martha Lucero, sons Carlos Lesperance and Benito Baldonado (Claire), her daughters Rosemary Lesperance and Gina Silva (Jeff) and grandchildren Nicholas and Lawrence Martinez, Anthony Montano and Amanda Armijo, twenty great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews whom she adored.

Rita always talked about when she was young and would play at the river near her family’s home in Corrales sitting on the riverbank writing letters, fishing and going to the dances with her sisters. She talked often about her parents that passed when she was very young.

Rita was a single mother, she worked hard to get her GED and medical education in order to provide a stable home for her five children. Rita worked very hard in her medical career. She worked at UNM, Carrie Tingley, Heights General and Lovelace Hospitals. She loved caring for her patients and especially loved working with children.

Rita preferred spending her time off with her own children, grandchildren, visiting her sisters and loved going to the casino. She was a wonderful woman and will be missed dearly.