Dora Tafoya

DORA BERTHA TAFOYA DE ABEYTA, a resident of Chamisal, left this world to join her father, Edilio Abeyta, her mother, Evangelina L. Abeyta; her brother, Eddie J. Abeyta and her sister, Elena Abeyta on Sunday, March 29, 2020. She leaves behind her husband of 58 years, Candido Tafoya; her beloved children, Cipriano Tafoya and wife Pamela, Annette Dykes and husband James, Elena Tafoya and     Manuel Tafoya and wife Kristin; grandsons, James Dykes III, Nicholas Tafoya and wife Morgan, Austin Tafoya, Travis Tafoya, Tyson Tafoya, Dylan Tafoya and Zachary Tafoya; great-grandson, Quinn Tafoya, who made her smile and brought her to life until the very end; brothers, Epi Abeyta and wife Darlene, Archie Abeyta and wife Margie; sisters, Elizabeth Morrow and husband Kelly, Edwina Abeyta and husband Rick Melton; sister-in-law, Kate Abeyta and many other relatives, friends and loved ones.

We teased Dora about having 7 grandsons and that she could have started a basketball team with “her boys”, as she called them. If the team had come to fruition and had the drive she had throughout her life, they would have been world champions.  Dora’s drive was like no other. Stories told to us by her mom and seeing first hand, reflected someone who went for what she wanted, didn’t stand down when she was right and always stood up for the underdog.  But, get on her bad side and that same drive would make you grimace!  Her strong will got her through many ailments, including 4 cancer diagnoses. She worked hard all of her life, she started off working in the ‘vitabel’ and ‘la papa’, harvesting the crops in various states, with her brothers, Eddie and Archie, and later Epi.  She married Candido in 1961, moved from Chamisal to California then moved to Minturn, Colorado, where she and Candido raised their children. While in Colorado, she worked for the school district, dry cleaners, and City Market. One of the many accomplishments she was most proud of was when she enrolled and obtained her GED. She had challenged her son to do well in school, and knowing that she had not finished high school herself (because she was too busy chasing the boys or working). This was Dora’s way of proving her point and leading by example. In 2001 she and Candido decided it was time to move back to Chamisal.  She always talked about “going home” and living in the house that they purchased many years past.  Dora enjoyed cooking, making jelly (and boy her jelly was sooo good), sewing, crafting, helping others and spending time with her family. She brought lots of joy to all those that she met and lived life to the fullest. We will miss you Dora, your humor, your determination, your drive, your smile, your ‘LOOK’---YOU as the special wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, and loved one. Though our life will not be the same without you we will hold you in our hearts forever. Rest in Peace. Due to current circumstances the family will do a rosary and celebration of life at a later date. The family of Dora Bertha Tafoya de Abeyta has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477 – www.devargasfueral.com