Asucena "Tena" Valdez (Baldonado)

In Loving Memory of Asucena “Tena” Valdez (Baldonado), a loving Mother, a guiding light, age 77, of Chama went home to the lord in the early morning hours of March 5, 2025, surrounded by the love she had so selflessly given throughout her life. She was born in Santa Cruz, NM to Jose Baldonado and Antonita Maestas. She grew up in El Rito; until she met her husband in 1963, and he moved her to Chama. They moved between Monte Vista, CO and Chama, NM for about 20 years as their family grew; finally, settling in Chama with their 6 children.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Antonita, husband Cippie Valdez, baby daughter Carmen Valdez, brother Manuel Baldonado, sister Connie Ross, father in-law Juan Ysidro Valdez, Mother in-law Maria Carmen Valdez, Step son-in-law Louis Matta and step granddaughter Veronica “Noni” Matta and many other aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.

She leaves behind a family rooted in the love and faith she instilled; her 4 of her children, Elizabeth “Chavela” Nunez (Jaime) of Farmington, Cippy Valdez of Albuquerque, Kimberly Candelaria (Herman) of Chama, and Juan Valdez (Heather) of Espanola. Stepchildren Herman Valdez of Las Cruces and Ramona Matta of Dexter. Grandchildren Jaime, Adrian, and Jennifer Nunez, Roman, Amanda, and Brianna Valdez, Mercedes Candelaria, Mikaylah and Jaxen Valdez. Step-Grandchildren Johnny and Marietta Valdez, Louis “Little Louie” Matta and Leslie Matta-Weaver, Great-Grandchildren Christopher and Miguel Nunez, Ida and Zoe Valdez. Many step-great/great-great grandchildren. Sisters Judy Baldonado and Maria “Piedad” Sanchez. A very special friend that she was very close to Higinio “Kino” Viniegra. Not to mention the abundance of other family and friends that she spoke about often and kept close to her heart.

Tena was a woman whose faith was unshakable, whose love was limitless, and whose kindness knew no bounds. She believed in the power of prayer, in the grace of God, and in the beauty of his plan, even when life tested her. She never met a stranger; she had the personality of meeting someone for the first time and then knowing their whole life story in a matter of minutes. No matter where we took her, she would find someone she knew. Despite facing challenges through life, mom never faltered in her determination and wisdom. She struggled so much with the disappearance of her first born, Esther in 1984, and up onto her death still prayed to know where her first born was and what happened to her. It angers family knowing people out there know the truth and let her pass without telling her, but we find comfort knowing she now has the truth. She found peace in knowing that when her time came, she would be reunited with those she lost.

She held multiple jobs throughout the community over the years and would reflect on them all from time to time, but the ones that meant the most to her were the years she spent cooking for the Seniors in TA and the inmates at RACDC. Anyone who ate her food knows what an amazing cook she was. The memory of her enchiladas, beans and tortillas will carry though us all. She was in high demand anytime there was a fundraiser or funeral that required a meal. Even in her final days she was still making fried potatoes and tortillas in her bed. If you were ever hungry or hadn’t eaten, you knew there was a meal through her door, and everyone was welcome day or night. She carried her faith with her whether in a quiet moment of prayer, in the words of encouragement she offered to others, or in the warm meals she lovingly prepared for those in need. If she saw you walking the streets, she insisted on you coming in to eat just so she knew you had one warm meal that day.

Though she has left this world, her love remains in every prayer whispered, every meal shared, and every heart she touched. Her spirit lives on, a guiding light for all who knew and loved her.

Thank you to all whom visited her and prayed with her and cared for her in her final years—thank you.

A special thanks to Roadrunner Hospice for caring for her over the last year.

At this time services will be at a later date with just immediate family, but we would love to hear stories of how she touched your life.