Vila Serna Realzola

Celia "Vila" Serna Realzola, 88, of Hatch, NM died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007 at her home. She was born September 12, 1918 in Mesilla, NM to Joe and Juanita Mayers. She moved to Hatch with her first husband Efrain T. Serna where they started a farm together. Vila then opened and operated the Placitas Country store as well as working on the farm and raising their family. She was also a Foster Grandparent for many years with the Hatch School District. Vila was a very hard worker, and had a very caring nature; her house was always open to those in need. She will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved her. She is survived by her husband Jose Realzola, her six daughters, Sally Baker and husband Lonnie of Victorville, CA; Lizzie Sanchez and husband Jimmy of La Mirada, CA; Ruby Leyva and husband Richard of Hatch, NM; Lydia Manning of Las Cruces, NM; Dora Ruiz and husband Efrain of Hesperia, CA; and Cindy Castillo of Whitter, CA; step children, Antonio and Fernando Realzola, Dalila Sarmiento, Martin Realzola, Ofelia Jones, Sue Simmons, Geronimo, Eime, and Abel Realzola. She is also survived by one brother Joe C. Mayers of Las Cruces, NM; and one sister Gloria Mayers of Los Angeles, CA; twenty-six grand children, forty-seven great grandchildren, and twenty-one step-grandchildren. Vila is preceded in death by her first husband Efrain T. Serna, three daughters, Gloria Sanchez and her husband Pat, Juanita Serna, and Nancy Gonzalez, brother George Mayers and sister Corina Mayers. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 at Our Lord of Mercy in Hatch, NM where a prayer vigil will follow at 7 PM. Her funeral mass is at 10 AM on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 also at Our Lord of Mercy with Fr. Enrique Escalera Lopez officiating. Rite of Committal will follow at the Hatch Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Denis Sanchez, Arty Leyva, Liuie Avalos, Michael Castillo, Chris Sanchez, and Jose Realzola Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Sanchez, Ronald Gonzalez, Joey Banegas, and Tammy Mazariego PDF Printable Version