Fidela "Chavela" Olivas

Fidela (Chavela) Olivas passed away peacefully on July 25, 2016, at the age of 86. She was born on August 26, 1929, to Aurelio (Lelo) and Filipita (Pita) Jaramillo and was a life-long resident of Albuquerque, NM. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her siblings, Rudy Jaramillo, Gabriel (Bobby) Jaramillo, Clara Jaramillo Sanchez, and David Jaramillo. Fidela's husband of 50 years, Paul Olivas, also preceded her in death. Together, Paul and Fidela had three children, Larry Olivas (wife, Dee Dee), Lydia Herrera (husband, Phil), and L. Robert Olivas (wife, Irene). They had nine grandchildren as well as thirteen great-grandchildren. Fidela will be remembered as a loving mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her cooking was appreciated by all who were invited to share a meal in her warm, fragrant, and welcoming kitchen. In fact, her kitchen was often crowded with family and friends, and there was always enough to go around. She was a wonderful seamstress. She made school clothes, prom dresses, curtains, bedspreads, and so much more. All who were blessed with her creations were proud to enjoy the work of her hands. Fidela loved to dance. As a young woman, she was a sought after dancing partner, especially for a Polka. As she became ill and weak, you could still catch her "shaking her booty" as she held on to one or the other of her children. Fidela was also a bit on the spunky side. She could catch you off guard with a comment that could make you mad or make you laugh, but never made you stop loving the kind and generous woman that she was.Viewing and Rosary will be conducted on Sunday, July 31, at 6pm, at the Riverside Funeral Home Chapel. Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at 9am on Monday, August 1, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 562 Atrisco Dr. SW in Albuquerque.