Dora Santillanes

Dora Santillanes, age 100, peacefully went to our Lord on February 24, 2017, she was surrounded by her family and loved ones. A funeral service will be held 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at LaGrone Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. Officiating will be Oscar Hernandez of Country Club Road Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents Miguel and Lorenza Santillanes both of San Jeronimo, New Mexico. Brother Abel Santillanes. Sisters Brijida Esperanza, Lucilla Herrera, and Rita Montano.
She is survived by her only child Mary and son-in-law Eddie Baros of Dexter, New Mexico, three grandchildren Eddie and his wife Lynn Baros, David and his wife Carmen Baros, Sheila Baros Charara and her husband Gus Charara of Phoenix, Arizona. Four Great-Grandchildren, four Great-Great Grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dora was the oldest of seven children and grew up in San Jeronimo, New Mexico; near Las Vegas, New Mexico. As a young woman she enjoyed riding her horse to corral cattle, loved Spanish Folklore Music, and dancing. She lived through the Great Depression and was a patriotic American who voted every presidential election up to 2016. In her thirties she lived in California where she studied to become a nurse. In her career she was a nurse to Vietnam Veterans who came back and were recovering from the war. Later she worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Roswell, New Mexico. She was a devout Christian and a member of the Country Club Church of Christ for many years. In retirement she enjoyed spending her time with family, reading, and going to the Roswell Joy Center.
Dora was the matriarch of our family. Well will always remember her delicious cooking especially her famous tortillas, her stories, and her leading prayer at holiday gatherings; but most of all her strength, wisdom, and love. Besides, "Momma" and "Tia", a name that will echo in our hearts forever is "Grandma".
Pallbearers will be Eddie Baros, Jr., David Baros, Joe Borjas, and Sabastian Garcia. Honorary pallbearers will be Abel Rivera, Jr. and Garrian Salsman.

As we sit here and wonder what it is that went wrong,
In reality it's hard to believe that you're gone.
You've touched our hearts in so many ways,
Our Memories of you can never be replaced.
For such a small person you had so much to give,
The power to love and the power to live.
You always worried about everyone else never thinking about yourself.
What an extraordinary woman to say the least.
We find comfort in knowing that you are at peace.
There will be no more hurt and no more pain.
We'll treasure the day when we meet again.
Loving you today and always.

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Cemetery