Obituary of Rebecca Piedad Valdez

Rebecca was born in Taos and raised her family in Santa Fe. She worked for the state of New Mexico until her retirement. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, cruising, quilting, knitting, reading, sewing and especially making clothes for her four-legged grandchildren in Massachusetts and Texas. She was "Grandma Bear". Rebecca was a compassionate and caring person who had strong religious beliefs and a passion for helping those in need by supporting animal and human rights efforts. She was active in and greatly loved by many in the Santa Fe Greek community which she considered her second family because of her best friend Helen Skinas. She is preceded in death by her parents Candido and Petra Padilla, brother Tony Padilla, cousin Jerry Padilla all of Taos, her daughter Victoria Tapia Valdez and nephew Thomas Sandoval. Rebecca is survived by her husband of 58 years Edward Valdez, her son Raymond Valdez of Auburn, MA, daughter Karla Koehler and her husband James of Plano, TX, beloved sister and brother in-law Marcella and Gilbert Sandoval, nephews Mark and Joseph Sandoval of Colorado Springs, CO, sister in-law Tina Padilla and nephew Henry Padilla of Taos; nieces, Monica Ortega of Questa, and Natalie Shaver of Scottsdale, AZ. Other family members include Michael and Cindy Tapia of Albuquerque, Nino and Nancy Padilla of Santa Fe and many other dear friends and neighbors who were fortunate enough to have known her. Rosary will be recited at 7:00PM, Friday, June, 13, 2014.A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00AM, Saturday, June 14, 2014 at St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church, 46 Calle Electra, Santa Fe, NM 87508. There will be a reception following at 1:00PM at the Elks Lodge.In lieu of flowers please make donations in Rebecca's name to the SPCA, your local animal shelter or the American Cancer Society.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Saturday, June 14, 2014 11:00AM St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church 46 Calle Electra Santa Fe, NM Phone: 719-328-1793