Gertrude "Tillie" Padilla

GERTRUDE “TILLIE” PADILLA, 88, of Grants, New Mexico peacefully passed away in Albuquerque, NM on Thursday, October 25, 2012. Tillie was born on November 10, 1923 in Grants to Pantelion and Mary (Blea) Chavez. She was a lifetime resident of Grants. She married Juan Dedois Padilla, her loving husband of 71 years on May 5, 1940. They built their home, raised a family and lived in the same house for 70 years. Tillie was a member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Grants. Tillie was preceded in death by her parents; husband (passed on December 21, 2011); brothers Eddie, Arnold, Benny and David Chavez; sisters Lou McBride, Chona Mirabal, Rafella Chavez and Bonnie Trujillo. She is survived by her sons Ernie Padilla and his wife Mary Ann of Glendale, Arizona; Johnny Padilla and his wife Pattie of Broomfield, Colorado; her daughter Lisa Massey and her husband Richard of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her sisters Helen Dyane of Milan, Corrine Chavez of Las Vegas, Nevada and Delene Baca of Grants; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Tillie was active in the community of Grants. She was very devoted to her family. She and her husband travelled throughout Europe and Mexico. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30pm on November 10, 2012 (this would have been her 89th Birthday) at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church in Grants, New Mexico.