Otilia Muniz

Otilia Muniz, 94 of Santa Rosa, NM passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

Otilia was born August 22, 1931 in Milagro, NM to Candido Lucero and Carolina (Maes) Lucero. Otilia was raised in Milagro, where she also attended school. On July 18, 1951, she married Jose Francisco Muniz.

Otilia was a homemaker for most of her life, but worked as a babysitter from 1976-79 and for the State of New Mexico from 1980-1995 with CYFD—mainly as a caretaker for the elderly. She was a parishioner at Nuestra Señora De Dolores in Milagro and at St. Rose of Lima in Santa Rosa.

In July 1976, Otilia moved to Santa Rosa where she raised her family. In her spare time, she was active with Hijas De Maria and the 50’s Plus Club through St. Rose, she enjoyed visiting with friends and former clients, going to the senior citizen center, dancing, traveling to the casinos, watching ropings on TV, phone calls with sobrinos and visiting with tias Alice and Viola. However, Otilia’s greatest joy came from the time she spent with her family.

Otilia is preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Jose in 1976, and her siblings: Patricio Lucero, Candido Lucero, Jr., Louis (Josie) Lucero, Frances (Roberto) Marquez, Teodora (Liborio) Sisneros, Mary Ann (Thomas) Sisneros and Alice (Catarino, Jr.) Armijo, and extended family: Adela Montaño, David Muniz, Tony and Bennie Muniz, Leandro and Rosana Muniz, Leo and Rita Muniz, Donaciana and Leandro Pacheco, Maria and Octaviano Alarid, Jesus Muniz, Eufacia Muniz, Getrudes Muniz, Thomas Sisneros, Jr., Bobby Marquez, Marcelino Sisneros and Rosalie Bonney.

She is survived by her children: Carolyn Rose (John) Zambrano of Rio Rancho, Joey (Olga) Muniz, Ricky (Camillia) Muniz and Michael (Carol) Muniz—all of Santa Rosa, nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, as well as numerous family and friends.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 2, 2025 from 1-5PM at Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa.

Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 7PM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa.

Mass of Christian will take place at 10AM on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Father Jacob Romero celebrating the service.

Following a meal and fellowship at Blue Hole Convention Center, family and friends will gather at Chavez Funeral Home to process to Nuestra Señora Del Dolores Cemetery in Milagro to lay Otilia to rest with Andrew Zambrano, Lorenzo Zambrano, Bruce Muniz, Donte Vigil, Ricardo Muniz, Preston Muniz, Brian Muniz and Brandon Muniz serving as Pallbearers.

Honorary Pallbearers will be all Otilia's grand and great-grandchildren, as well as her many nieces and nephews, whom she loved.

Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435. 575-472-3369.