Dorothy Ilene Alvarez

Alvarez, Dorothy I. Dorothy Ilene Valdez known as "Dickie" to everyone was born on April 19, 1927, in a small town called La Isla Colorado in Conejos County. Her parents, Max and Margaret Valdez had two other children: big brother, Adalberto (Bert) Adonize and older sister, Placida Mercedes (Merci). She was so small that she had to be put in a box instead of a crib because there were no incubators. She was placed in a box over a blanket where some kind of grain called "chappe" was warmed in the oven. Then she thrived with the heat and to everyone's surprise became the woman which we all knew and loved. Three years after her came Helen Cecelia her youngest sister, but at the age of 5 she died of complications with typhoid fever. She actually was buried on her fifth birthday. Mother had passed away nine days before of the same illness at Tierra Amarilla, NM in October of 1935. Dorothy (Dickie ) was taken to Colorado so she was the only one in the family that did not get the fever. She lived with our Aunt Anita Cordova until she was twelve years old. My sister, Dorothy moved to California in 1943 or 1944 to live with our dad. She met her future husband, Roberto Jonas Alvarez, married, lived in San Francisco and had 5 sons, Duane, Richard, Rory, Max and David. Later they moved to Oakland and had two more children, Roxanna and Elmer. She was constantly moving to be with her adult children from California to New Mexico to Colorado to Arizona. Then finally in her last years she settled in New Mexico. Dorothy (Dickie) loved playing games especially scrabble, reading especially the Bible and loved to socialize. Dickie left a legacy of 7 children, 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. Dorothy also has 4 step-grandchildren, 13 step-great-grandchildren. She had five generations. Her life was keeping close to God. She taught all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren about God. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. She was faithful to the end. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, April 11, 2014 at Calvary Chapel Rio Rancho, 138 Frontage Road NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. A Reception will immediately follow at the church. Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 505-892-9920