Anna Marie Chavez

CHAVEZ, Anna Marie died peacefully on September 9, 2014 at the age of 89. She was born in Chama Colorado to Henrietta and Emilio Lobato, Sr. She attended Adams State Teacher's College in Alamosa, CO where she earned her degree in History and Political Science. She married Simon J. Chavez three days after VJ Day in 1945. The new couple moved frequently in their early years together, as Simon pursued his Master's and Doctorate degrees. They settled in Dayton in 1954 where he became a professor of Elementary Education at the University of Dayton. Their first home was the faculty barracks located in the present day parking lot B at UD. They became devoted UD Flyers fans, attended many football games and were basketball season ticket holders from the time UD Arena was constructed. Mom was very active in the UD Faculty Wives Club (later known as the UD Women's Association) and served as its president. After many years as a homemaker she took classes at UD to earn her teaching certificate and started a new career as a home instruction teacher for the Dayton Public Schools. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, history, politics, classical music, and discussing her early life in rural Colorado. She was an expert canner, preserving large amounts of produce and jam and organizing yearly family outings to pick apples and strawberries. She encouraged her children's appreciation of music, theater, and family lore. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Dr. Simon Chavez, in 1990 and lived independently until 2012. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, Simon and Emeteria Chavez; siblings, Bessie Albert, Henry Lobato, Louis Lobato, Ella Keller, Raymond Lobato, Henrietta Mascarenas, and infant siblings Loyola, Johnny, and Armand Lobato. Her surviving siblings are Tillie Martinez, Eugene "Buddy" and wife Josie Lobato of Denver, CO and Emilio and wife, Dora Lobato of San Pablo, CO. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Ruth Lobato of Albuquerque, NM and Teresa Lobato of Denver as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She leaves five children to cherish her memory; Joan Slonaker, Peggy Chavez, Simon Jr. "Bud" and his wife, Mary Jo Chavez, Dr. Annette Chavez and husband Gregory Davis, and Michele and husband, Scott Brown; grandchildren, Bill Slonaker Jr., Melissa Chavez and great-grandson Zachary Slonaker. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 10:30am at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (4500 Ackerman Blvd, Kettering, OH) with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 12, 2014 from 5-8 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E Stroop Rd. Kettering, OH 45429. The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Warren Ljungren and Dr. Ceferino Cata for their expert medical care over the past many years. We would also like to thank Linda Dow of Comfort Keepers for her loving care of mom during her time of declining health. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the UD School of Education Scholarship Fund or to SICSA.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429