Obituary of Maria de Refugio Oliva Chavez

Maria de Refugio Oliva Chavez, age 99, a longtime resident of Albuquerque and the Martineztown, and Barelas communities passed away peacefully at home on December 29, 2023. Maria was a life-long member of Sacred Heart Church. All her children attended Riverview Elementary School, where she was active in overseeing their education though her involvement in classroom and related school activities.

Maria was born in Albuquerque, NM on November 20, 1924. Parents were Gregorio Oliva and Consuelo Venegas. She was married for 48 years to the late Jose Francisco (Frank) Chavez, until his death in 1998. She was preceded in death by her parents, all her siblings, grandson

(Ernest) and son-in-law Monserrat (Charro) Apodaca. She is survived by her children, Christina, Frank (Susan), Irene, Robert, and Ernest. Grandchildren, Maria, Veronica (Jimmy), Vanessa (Jacinto), April (Jessie),

Alicia (Dorian), Ernest/EJ (Amelia) and great-grandchildren, Tristian, Adiel, Helios, and Samuel. Maria was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, aunt, and friend to many.

The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice and their nursing staff, especially employees Monica and Brittany, who displayed kindness and affection to our mother. We also would like to thank two family friends, Lisa and Martina, who provided compassionate care for our mother. 

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque starting at 10:00AM.

Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery at 11:30AM