Elsie Fernandez (Benavidez), resident of Springer died peacefully July 14, 2016 at the Palacios residence in Las Cruces at the age of 88.
Elsie was born on December 2, 1927 in Colorado, NM to Sinforiano and Francisca Benavidez. Elsie grew up in Southern New Mexico where she met her husband in Las Cruces. She married Estevan C. Fernandez, a rancher on April 23, 1949, celebrating 67 years of marriage this past April. They would settle in Northern New Mexico. Soon thereafter they started a family, raising two sons and five daughters. Elsie was a devoted homemaker and valued her faith. Family was precious to Elsie and in her roles as a mother and grandmother she both handed down and created many family traditions and stories. Elsie found joy in spending time with family and friends throwing horseshoes, washers, playing pool and bowling.
Elsie is survived by her husband, Estevan C. Fernandez of the family home; 2 sons, Samuel E. Fernandez, Springer and John Steve Fernandez and spouse, Dixie Fernandez, Clayton; 5 daughters, Rose Marie Esquibel and spouse, Walter Esquibel, Raton, Catherine Van Dyke and spouse, Kym Van Dyke, Layton, UT, Barbara Madrid and spouse, Ricky Madrid, Las Cruces, Betty Segura and spouse, David Segura, Raton and Rita Palacios and spouse, Robert Palacios Sr., Las Cruces. She has 21 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Elsie is preceded in death by father, Sinforiano Benavidez; mother, Francisca R. Benavidez; brothers, Henry Benavidez, Joseph Benavidez, Jesus Benavidez and sister, Jennie Benavidez.
She will be missed here on Earth, but we rejoice in the fact that she is forever in the presence of our loving God.
A celebration of life will be held Friday July 22, 2016 at Saint Joseph Springer & Immaculate Conception Church 605 5th St, Springer, NM 87747. Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary will be at 9:30am with the Solemn Mass of the Resurrection with Father Emmanuel Izuka as the Celebrant at 10am followed by the reception. Burial will be Monday July 25, 2016 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 9:45am 501 N. Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice 299 E. Montana Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88005.
Funeral Arrangements for Elsie Fernandez are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.
