Evangelina F. (Flores) Alvarez

Evangelina Flores Alvarez, known as “Lena” or “Grandma Lena” passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease on August 27, 2020 with family members at her bedside.

Lena was born in Valedón, New Mexico on June 25, 1929 to Paula Sandoval and Juan Manuel Flores. However, she resided in Lordsburg for most of her life. It is here that she flourished into a monumental woman exhibiting a beautiful heart – so warm and loving – kindness and generosity beyond compare; commitment and devotion to family and friends; working hard and selflessly; and being a devout Catholic to the very end; these being but a few of her many admirable traits. Through her we learned to love and care, respect and honor each other, for family is a bond that should never be broken. She led by example by giving and doing for all her children, but especially for her grandchildren having countless bake sales and food sales for her grandbabies’ fundraisers for church bazaars, trips to Washington, even Australia. Lena was at every game for every sport cheering us loudly and proudly. She attended school concerts and plays, banquets and ceremonies, beaming with pride at all our accomplishments. She never fell short with words of encouragement, words of praise; but she also had a chancla for spanking (only when it was deserved). She taught us to pray and believe in the Lord, because He was the one who gave her strength when she felt she had no more. In her prayers, our souls’ salvation was sought. She was the model of unconditional love; perseverance through all adversity; and an unyielding life of faith and prayer. There is no end to the love she gave. Her hugs and kisses will be greatly missed. Her warm smile that lit up a room now shines down upon us. Although she has moved on, her presence and her love, her precious wondrous love, will always live inside us. We owe her our lives and much, much more. We honor her and praise the Lord for a mother with value so great. Nothing on earth can compare or replace her love for us and so many others.

Lena was preceded in death by Antonio Alvarez (husband) and Antonio Alvarez, Jr. (son). She is survived by Daughter-in-Law Helen Alvarez; children, Alice Sanchez (Edmundo), Lupe Efaw (Dennis), Rachel Martin, Ben Alvarez (Clara), Jaime Alvarez (Martha), Ernie Alvarez (Juanita), Sally Guzman (Carlos), Pauline Gomez (Danny); twenty-nine grandchildren; forty-four great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Susie Luevano. Extended family members include the Flores, Esquivel and Alvarez families.

Services will be held in Lordsburg, New Mexico on Friday September 4th, 2020 at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, 416 E 2nd Street, Lordsburg, New Mexico. The viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m. The Rosary is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. followed by the Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Shakespeare Cemetery. Pallbearers are Michael Alvarez, Jaime Alvarez, Daniel Sanchez, Joseph Gomez, Adam Alvarez, Catheryn Gomez, Kristina Guzman, and Isaac Rosenblum. Honorary Pallbearers are Carlos Guzman, Jr. and Nicholas Iglesias.

In lieu of flowers family requests that memorial contributions be made in memory of Lena to Alzheimers Research or to St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Favorite Mom/Grandma Lena sayings forever engraved in our hearts:

Shake, Shake, Shake, and Rattle and Rock and Roll!

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire, Hanging from a Telephone Wire

Why should I learn to drive when God gave me two good feet?

No Guts, No Gain, No Glory

I don’t sleep during the day

What a joke

I love you and I pray for you every day, three and four times a day

Hey Baby Que Paso? Vino el Tren y no pito!

Como chingas

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