Rosario Molina Garcia

GARCIA, Rosario “Chayo” Molina, age 89, a resident of Chamberino, New Mexico, for many years, passed away in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Tuesday, February 2, 2022. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Felix O. Garcia; son Felix (Rosalinda); daughter Bertha Arrieta (Armando); son Ernest (Natasha); and son Carlos (Jewel); brothers Estanislao “Lalo” Portillo and Hector Manuel “Tova” Portillo (Lucia), and 14 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Born in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico, on April 9, 1932, to Epigmenio Molina and Petra Muñoz, Chayo was the second oldest of nine children in her family. Her father was shot and killed in Parral when Chayo was not yet 3 years old, and her mother, who was known as Petrita, did not remarry until many years later. In her early years, Chayo was the oldest girl among three boys, and she took on the responsibility of helping to raise her brothers while her mother worked. Due to these circumstances, Chayo had very little formal schooling, though her brothers considered her like a second mother throughout her life.

Chayo emigrated from Mexico to the United States in 1963 with her husband and four children. Seeking a new life and better opportunities for her family, she instilled in her children an honest working ethic and placed a high value on education, constantly encouraging them to persist and accomplish their goals. She set a great example for her sons and daughter, and was always an early riser, eager to do her chores at home and at work.

Chayo will be remembered as deeply cheerful, and she was a friend to all, but her family always remained her top priority.

Her talents were many. An accomplished seamstress, Chayo created clothing for family and friends throughout her life. From fashioning handmade dresses for her daughter, Bertha, in high school to creating bridesmaids’ gowns for neighbors’ weddings, she was always willing to make special occasions a bit more special through her sewing. She loved crocheting as well, and her grandchildren all cherished the many blankets she knitted for them. In addition, she was an excellent cook. No one walked away hungry from her home, especially if Chayo had her well-loved chiles rellenos or tamales on hand.

One of her most celebrated talents was the way she turned a sandy plot of arid land in the New Mexico desert into a green oasis of flowers, shrubs, leafy fruit trees and plants of all kinds. In the summer, Chayo’s yard in Chamberino was a sunny collection of grapevines, peaches, apricots, tropical plants and a bounty of roses. She was happiest when she was working in her garden with her beloved grandchildren running around. She also loved caring for animals - she owned many cats, dogs, parrots, chickens, songbirds, geese and peacocks throughout her life.

Chayo worked for many years as a cook and server in the cafeterias of Gadsden Junior High School and Gadsden High School in Anthony, New Mexico. She also worked and eventually retired from The Reward Co., a pet food manufacturer in Chamberino.

Please join the family on Thursday, February 10, 2022, from 4–8 p.m., at Hillcrest Funeral Home West, 5054 Doniphan Drive, El Paso, Texas. A rosary will be said at 6 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at San Luis Rey Catholic Church, 206 S. San Luis Ave., Chamberino, N.M. 88027. Burial services will follow at the Chamberino Municipal Cemetery.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Casa Bella, a memory care facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Condolences and memories may be posted at Hillcrest Funeral Home – West at www.hillcrestfhwest.com.