Josie Candelaria

IN MEMORY OF
JOSIE  B.
CANDELARIA
Obituary for Josie B. Candelaria

Josie B. Candelaria, an extraordinary woman, a woman of faith in God, and a woman of excellence, died Saturday, November 14, 2015.  She was a woman of wisdom, a defender of the helpless with a strong sense of what is honorable and ethical.  She was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.  She was a blessing and we were blessed to have known her.

Born on February 28, 1930, Josie was the daughter of Pablo and Felicitas Baca. She worked all her life, first as a health planner for the New Mexico Health Systems Agency where in addition to being a full time mother, she filled her time as a community volunteer, board member, and friend to many people.  She was one of the founding members of New Futures School for Teenage Parents, a board member for the New Mexico Board of Higher Education, City of Albuquerque Community Advisory Council, and the March of Dimes. She was instrumental in the creation of the Share-Your Care Adult Day Care Programs, the Hispanic Health Coalition, and the Shelter for Domestic Violence, but one of the projects she was most proud of was part of the Model Cities Projects called Operation Boot Strap where she worked tirelessly to obtain the funds, negotiate, and purchase low income houses for 18 families in the South Broadway Neighborhood. Her commitment to others was recognized as she received the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Community and the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Women. She was a Grand Regent with the Catholic Daughters of America and an active member of St. Francis Xavier Church where she was a member of the choir who sang for many years with her beautiful soprano voice, famous for her Ave Maria.
Her husband, Ramon Candelaria, her parents Pablo and Felicitas Baca and brothers, Nash, Gume, Ralph, and her sister, Flora Baca, and a son Johnny, preceded her in death.  She is survived by her dear sister, Mary Camillo and brother, Ray Baca and his wife, Lorraine Baca as well as her four beloved daughters, Mary Annabel Candelaria, Ramona Candelaria, Barbara Candelaria, Cecilia Martinez and husband Tony Martinez, and her five cherished grandchildren, Gabrielle Valdez, Dominic Valdez and his wife Tanyia  Duquette, Anthony Martinez, Christopher Valdez, and Ramon Martinez.  She is also survived by her ten great grandchildren, Marissa Valdez, Jayden Valdez, Giovanna C De Baca, Jasmine Valdez, Danielle Valdez, Samantha Valdez, Dylan Valdez, Oceanna Martinez, Jenna Martinez, and Slade Martinez.

Josie loved to sing, dance, and be around people. She was an avid newspaper reader and liked to discuss politics or the latest editorial.  Josie made everyone feel welcome. Her door was always open. She was well known for her generosity, and she thrived on people. She was a selfless woman who went through life helping others.  We thank her for sharing her life with us.  Now she is an angel in heaven protecting us and is joyfully in heaven with her departed family.  We love you.
A Rosary will be  prayed Tuesday, November 17, 2015, 6:00 pm, at Daniels Family Funeral Services Strong-Thorne Chapel, located at 1100 Coal S.E. The Funeral Services will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church located at 820 Broadway Blvd. S.E., on Wednesday, November, 18, 2015 at 10:00 am with internment at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

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