Life Legacy

Our cherished Matriarch and beloved Clara Madrid Nevarez Sanchez, who spent all of her 85 years in service and love towards others, left us on February 10, 2017 to join the Celestial Courts of Heaven. She was gifted with her life, February 5, 1932 in Las Cruces, New Mexico to Ramon M. Madrid and Sofia A. Barela. Born into one of the first pioneer families of Las Cruces, New Mexico, her roots run deep and she remained a lifelong resident of the Land of Enchantment. Her family owned and farmed the land where Kansas Street and the Main Office of Citizens Bank is now located. This would set the precedent for the rest of her life, everything she planted thrived under her patience and touch. When she was 17, Clara married David N. Nevarez. During that time they worked together as a team. This included, answering phones, driving dump trucks, laying out the site preparation and build twenty some homes in the desert hills of the Hermosa Heights Subdivision of Las Cruces. Residents nicknamed the neighborhood "Beverly Hills" and in her later years some of the residents referred to her as, "The Queen of Beverly Hills." When a tragic boating accident took the life of her husband and son she was left with five children. She eventually remarried and had four more wonderful children. When this marriage ended she became mother and father to her nine children. A born nurturer with a fighter's heart, she treasured her family. Her children extended past her natural born to include not just grandchildren and great grandchildren, but many others including neighbors, co-workers, and friends. Clara worked as a dietician both at Memorial Medical Center and the Good Samaritan for 18 years, before retiring. She possessed a beautiful heart and because of that Clara was rarely referred to by her name, with many co-workers and residents choosing to simply call her Mom. She loved people and she loved life and although Las Cruces was always home, she loved to travel whether in New Mexico, the United States, or Europe. She never stopped enjoying life, and even at the age of 82 she could sometimes be found riding on the back of a Harley-Davidson with her sons in the mountains of Ruidoso. She was quick to give advice and pray over you. She was very strong in heart, character, spirit, integrity, and strong willed. She taught others how to be successful and strong in life. She had tremendous love for her family. She was a devoted Catholic and a life-long parishioner of St. Genevieve's Church and even trekked to visit the Vatican. She was a candle in the dark, our guiding spirit and our ray of sunshine. We are comforted knowing a piece of her will always live on, not just in Heaven but on this Earth as well. She takes with her our hearts and those of us left to cherish her legacy include her sons: Rocky M. Nevarez (Terry), Jack M. Nevarez (Diana), Larry Sanchez (Debbie). Daughters: Lorraine Paz (Randy), ClaraLinda Marquez, all of Las Cruces. Elizabeth Aldaz (Robert) of Corrales, NM, Irene Sanchez (Ben), Rebecca Saldivar (Alonzo) and Cynthia Palomino (Raul) all of Las Cruces. A special mention to those she considered her children: Niece Rosemary M. Leyva, George Nevarez, and Lupita Camacho Neiman. Along with thirty-two grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and a great-great grandson as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sofia A. Barela, her father Ramon M. Madrid, husband David N. Nevarez, son David P. Nevarez son Julian (Jimmy) Nevarez, son-in-law Eduardo Marquez Jr., three brothers: Frank B. Madrid, Jose B. Madrid, Ramon B. Madrid. Sister: Genevieve M. Leyva and a very special niece Nora Madrid Howard. There will be a Rosary on Thursday February 16, 2017 at St. Genevieve's Catholic Church at 9:00am with a Funeral Mass to follow. She will be laid to rest after the services at St. Josephs Cemetery. Funeral Services are entrusted to Getz Funeral Home. PDF Printable Version