Esther "Nona" A. Mares, 62, a resident of Silver City, NM was called from this earth on March 28, 2017 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces surrounded by her loving family. Nona as she was affectionately known as was born on June 9, 1954 in Silver City, NM to Gonzalo and Josephine (Vasquez) Aguilar.
Nona was very pro veteran and loved all veterans, she would always defend and advocate for them and was very proud and grateful for their bravery and service. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary and the Eagles Club. She was very proud of her membership and was very involved in organizing and assisting with teen dances, Bingo and Boys and Girls State for nearly 27 years. Nona loved life and lived it to the fullest. She loved music, dancing, shopping, crocheting and going to the casinos. Nona loved to travel especially to go visit her sisters. Her greatest love was family and being with her sisters, her children, grandchildren and all her extended family were her most cherished and treasured moments. Nona will be forever loved and missed by all who knew and loved her.
Nona is survived by her loving husband Leo of the family home, sons Billy Burch (Brittney) of Vernal, UT, Ruben Burch (Brandi) of Butte, MT, Leo James Mares (Melanie) of Missoula, MT, Steven Mares (Tasha) of San Diego, CA, Leon Uliberry of Tucumcari, NM and daughter, Jean Luera (Ricky) of Brenham, TX, sisters, Elva Bocanegra, Viola Aguilar (Don), Rosella Johnson, Rebecca Freeman, Naomi Olivas (Bobby), Barbie Janhunen (Andy), Virginia Sepulveda (Anselmo) all of Butte, MT and Thelma Serna of Dillon, MT, her grandchildren, Anthony, Anyssa, Dominicke, Leelo, Isaiah , Malachi, Angel Ray, Kyla, Izak, Erica, Austin, Dominic, Jillian, Ava, Renee and Armando, great grandchildren, Andrew , Marisol , Izabella and Michael. Also surviving her is her uncle Rudy (Opie) Vasquez (Shirley), her special family, Ruben Jr., Mary Alice and Alexis Rae Vasquez and special cousins Lisa Vasquez, Stephanie Rojas and Lisa Serna as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gonzalo and Josephine Aguilar, son, Micheal Mares and sisters, Linda Burch and Mary Ann Duran.
Prayer Vigil and Rosary for "Nona" will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at six o'clock in the evening at Baca's Funeral Chapels recited by Deacon Bill Holguin. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 11:30 in the morning at St. Francis Newman Center Parish. Concluding services and interment will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery. Officiating will be Father Jaroslaw Nowacki.