Olivama Atencio

Olivama Atencio passed away peacefully on Monday June 14, 2021. She was born in Chamisal on November 14, 1924, to Malaquias and Josepha Rodriguez. She was preceded in death by her parents Malaquias and Josepha Rodriguez, her loving husband of 55 years Victor B. Atencio, daughters Victoria and Deborah Atencio, and two grandsons Victor C. Atencio and Henry S. Velarde. She is survived by her children Olivia Atencio, Edwin Atencio and wife Dolores, Noami Atencio and husband John Sanchez, Della Wahl and husband Robert. She loved and cherished her nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Olivama served her community of Chamisal as Postmaster for 30 years. She always knew how blessed she was to have had a career that allowed her to work from home. She was able to raise her family through the Dutch-door that separated the post office from the house. On her breaks she stepped into the kitchen to make her tortillas for lunch, then in an instant she would take a few steps and she would be back in the office selling money orders and stamps! What more could a person ask for.

She spent her spare time embroidering, making blankets and quilts and there was not a crocheting pattern that she couldn’t figure out and duplicate. She loved canning whatever Dad would grow in his garden and she kept a spare freezer in the garage for more.! There was always plenty of apricot, green plum and choke cherry jelly which she loved to give away to her friends when they dropped by.

She attended Allison James in Santa Fe and Menaul High School in Albuquerque and graduated from Penasco High School. She continued her education with Victor at Adams State in Colorado. She taught school for a few years before becoming a Postmaster.

Olivama was a faithful servant of God. She went to bed praying and woke up each morning giving thanks for a new day. She read and studied her bible daily. She was raised in the Presbyterian faith and she served as a deacon of the church on numerous occasions. She was an active member of the church and she also enjoyed being part of choir.

Serving the family as pall bearer are Andres Velarde, Guillermo Atencio, Aaron Wahl, Daniel Abeyta, Esteban Castro, Enrique Castro, and Michael Aguilar.

Honorary pall bearers Adrian Cordova, and Albert Delgado.

Please join the Atencio family on Friday, June 18, 2021 for the services which will begin with viewing at 9:30AM at Emmanuel Presbyterian church in Penasco, New Mexico the service will start at 10:00AM, burial to follow in Chamisal at the cemetery.