Obituary: Sarita E. Valdez

Sarita E. Valdez, age 72, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2024. Visitation to be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024, 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Chapel of Angels, 1430 Thornton Street. Rosary is to be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, 10:00 am and Mass of the Resurrection to follow at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 108 Davis Street with Father Eli Valadez officiating. Burial to follow at Mission Garden of Memories, 2900 W. 7th Street. Ryan Walley, Michael Valdez, Fabian Martinez, Christopher Montoya, Vincent Beltran, Brayden Walley and Jayce Valdez will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are the wonderful caregivers at Clovis Healthcare and Rehab.

Sarita was born on October 3, 1951, to Bonifacio and Frances Garcia in Clovis, NM. She was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and was a vital member of their prayer group. She married Antonio Valdez in Clovis on June 6, 1970, and together they celebrated over 50 years of marriage. Sarita was a teacher's aide with the Clovis Municipal Schools for 25 years. She loved her job very much and treasured her students and fellow teachers. Sarita developed an interest in learning the guitar. She taught herself and promptly joined the OLG 6:00 pm choir. She loved making a joyful noise unto the Lord, and when she could no longer play, she continued to sing and play the tambourine. In 2001, Sarita became a grandmother and completely fell in love with being a Nana. She would plan movie night sleepovers, create matching holiday outfits through her love of sewing and crafting, cook special meals, and generally spoil them rotten. Sarita was beautiful inside and out, and enjoyed fashion, makeup, and jewelry. She loved outings with her family and friends, including her many bingo buddies. She will be greatly missed, but her family is joyful that she has been reunited with Papo.

Survivors include her children, Fabian (Kelli) Martinez of Delta, CO; Toni Michelle Valdez of Colorado Springs, CO; Katrina (Ryan) Walley of Clovis, NM; Michael Valdez (Jennifer Chavez) of Clovis, NM; her siblings, Terry (Deacon Joe) Garcia of Santa Fe, NM; and Rosa Montoya of Clovis, NM; grandchildren, Joaquin (Terrie) Martinez, Jacinta Martinez, Layla Walley, Raisa (DC) Walley, Brayden Walley, Jayce Valdez, Aria Valdez, and Liam Valdez; great grandchildren; Triston Martinez, Catalina Martinez, and Scarlett Martinez, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Antonio Valdez; parents, Bonifacio, and Frances Garcia; and two brothers, Dickie Garcia and Ray Garcia.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Muffley Funeral Home, http://www.muffleyfuneralhome.com, (575) 762-4435.