Lupe C. Ornelas
December 12, 1934, to July 8, 2026
Lupe C. Ornelas passed away peacefully on July 8, 2026, at Scott's House Hospice facility in Santa Fe. She was born on December 12, 1934, in Santa Rita, NM to Abran M. and Josefa P. Chacon. Lupe was educated in the Cobre School district and was active in clubs at Hurley High School. She lived in the Santa Rita area for all her early life until she moved with her family to Silver City in 1966 as the Santa Rita townsite closed. Lupe loved life in Santa Rita and delighted in having a view of the Kneeling Nun visible from the window of her home in Silver City. Lupe was a devout Catholic and a parishioner in Santa Rita and then attended St. Vincent de Paul after her move to Silver City.
Lupe married Victor H. Ornelas of Silver City on January 16, 1953. They had just celebrated their 68 years of marriage when Victor passed away in February 2021. Lupe was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt and godmother to many. She was born to be a caregiver as she lovingly provided long-term care for several people in her life including her sister Connie, her parents, our Uncle Tommy's mother, Cecilia Ryan and our dad, Victor. She provided this care freely with her only complaint being that she could not do more for those in her care. Lupe worked in the WNMU cafeteria and the "Cooler" for over 20 years and made many life-long friends there. She encouraged her children's education and proudly saw her children, many nephews, nieces and grandchildren graduate from Western and other colleges and universities.
Lupe was preceded in death by her husband, Victor, a daughter Eva in 1976, her parents Abran and Josefa, her sisters, Connie Ryan, Rosa Arvizo and Catalina Alirez and her brothers Jesus Chacon and Augustine Chacon and their wives, Lupe Chacon and Elvira Chacon.
She is survived by her brother, Gaspar Chacon and his wife, Teresa of Santa Fe and her brother-in-law, Thomas J. Ryan of Silver City. Also surviving her is her daughter, Catrina Smith (Rodney) of Aurora, CO, her sons, Sam Ornelas (Debbie) of Albuquerque and Tony Ornelas (Priscilla) of Santa Fe. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Rozlyn Jones (Zach) of Aurora, CO, Marisa Ornelas (Andrew Paulson) of Santa Fe, Kaytlyn Ellingson (James) of Wellington, CO, Matthew Ornelas of Santa Fe, Jerod Smith (Bri) of Aurora, CO, Elijah Ornelas of Albuquerque and Ava Ornelas of Albuquerque. Lupe also was a proud great-grandmother to Logan and Jackson Jones, Jordan and Theo Ellingson and Amelia (Millie) and Miles Smith. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends.
Lupe built and enjoyed strong relationships with many in her family, especially her cousin, Dolores Wilson, who she grew up with in Santa Rita. We especially thank our Uncle Gaspar and our aunt Teresa, our uncle Tommy Ryan, our cousins Margaret Ryan, Frank Ryan, Dorina Martinez, Raquel Corral and Brandi Costales and to our mom's goddaughter, Martha Pedraza and Comadre, Aurora Sanchez, who all provided her unwavering love and care, especially in the later years of her life. We also are very grateful to her neighbor in Silver City, Deanne Miller, who looked in on her several times a day and became like a daughter to her.
The rosary will be held on Monday, July 13th at 2:00 pm at Santa Maria de la Paz parish in Santa Fe, NM. The funeral mass will be held on Thursday, July 16th at 1:00 pm at St. Vincent de Paul in Silver City, NM being officiated by Father Oliver Obele. Burial will follow at the Catholic Cemetery in Silver City. Pallbearers at the funeral will be Matthew Ornelas, Elijah Ornelas, Rodney Smith, Frank Ryan, Isaac Martinez and Mike Hernandez. Pallbearers at her rosary will be Jerod Smith, David Chacon, Matthew Ornelas, Elijah Ornelas, Sam Ornelas and Tony Ornelas.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.
