Rose Milligan Chavez

Rose Milligan Chavez, was born on July 10, 1936, to Daniel and Fidelina Milligan of Aragon, New Mexico. She entered into eternal rest on Friday, August 25, 2023, in Albuquerque, New Mexico while living at Amaran Memory Facility, for a year and a half.

In her childhood years, Rose lived in Aragon, New Mexico with her parents and six siblings. At nine years old, after the death of her mother, she entered the St. Vincent Orphanage in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She attended Loretto High School Academy in El Paso, Texas. Immediately after high school, Rose married George Chavez of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She worked for APS as a Teacher's Assistant for special needs children and retired after 25 years of service.

Rose was an avid athlete throughout her life. For many years, she was a senior Olympian and a member of TOPS (take off pounds sensibly). In her 40s and 50's she was a competitive runner and in her golden years, she was a competitive and dedicated walker. While living at Amaran, she utilized the exercise room daily or walked laps on the main floor.

Rose had a great love for God and exemplified His love and care to her 3 children, 12 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and her sons and daughters-in-law. She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church for nearly 60 years where she was a member of The Altar Society. Rose loved to dance, sing, write poetry, play volleyball, and travel.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, George Chavez; her daughter, Antoinette Marquez-Sanchez; her grandson, Albert Marquez; and her granddaughter, Erika Marquez. Of her siblings, Rose was preceded in death by her brothers, Danny Milligan, (Fr.) Richard Milligan, George Milligan, and Nestor Milligan.

Rose is survived by her two sons, Gregory Chavez and Richard Chavez; her grandchildren, Raquel Pacheco-Walling, Gregory Jr. Chavez, Marie Marquez-Encinio, Alexandre Chavez, Montie Chavez, Jacquelyn Chavez, Christopher Chavez, Jevan Chavez, George Chavez, and Raelynn Chavez; her great-grandchildren, Anthony Walling, Boaz Chavez, Jehu Chavez, James (J.W.) Encinio, and Gunner Encinio; her son-in-law, Michael Sanchez; her daughter-in-law, Lora Lucero-Chavez; her grandchildren-in-law, Michael Walling, Josefina Chavez, and Robert Encinio. Of her siblings, Rose is survived by her brother, John Albert Milligan; and her sister, (Sr.) Adelia Milligan, OSF.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Amaran Memory Care Facility for their compassion and care of our mother/grandmother/sister, in this last year and a half of her life.

A Rosary and viewing will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, 6:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas in Albuquerque. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, 5415 Fortuna Rd. N.W., in Albuquerque. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.