Mary Esther Gauna Chavez, age 95, a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, peacefully passed away on November 26, 2025. She was born in Yeso, New Mexico, on July 1, 1930, to Procopio Gauna and Macedonia Trujillo Casaus. Esther was raised in the "big city" of Vaughn, New Mexico, with her two brothers and three sisters. It was there that she met her first husband, Daniel Chavez.

Together, Esther and Daniel were blessed with seven children: Kathy (husband Steve Armijo), Annette (husband Salvador Arvizu), Theresa, Helen (husband Jim Carpenter), Diann (husband Ken Jones), Patrick, and Andrew. In 1963, Daniel preceded Esther in death. In 1966, Esther married Carlos Chavez, and together they welcomed their daughter, Carla (husband Troy Barker). In 2001, Carlos also preceded her in death.

Esther was a loving grandmother to 14 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was also preceded in death by her son, Andrew, six grandsons, and one great-grandson.

Esther will be remembered most for her strong and devout Catholic faith, her wickedly sharp sense of humor, and the genuine kindness and generosity she extended to everyone she met. Her deep faith in our Lord and Savior carried her through her darkest times, and as the family matriarch, she became a living example of faith, strength, and courage for all who knew her.

Esther was a voracious reader who traveled the world through her books. She enjoyed ceramics, sewing, crocheting, watching her soplas (soap operas), and cowboy programs. Most of all, she cherished visits from her family and friends.

Services: Rosary to be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1860 Griegos Road NW, Albuquerque, NM.