Died 2020

Rita Arvizu, 82, of Albuquerque, N.M., and formerly of Socorro, was called home to meet her Heavenly Father on Dec. 11, 2020.

She was one of ten children born to the late Manuel and Elisa Arvizu.

Rita was a dedicated mother who treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She cherished her brothers and sisters and was grateful to have grown up with so many siblings.

Her professional career included retail sales, bookkeeping, and her true calling as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). She found fulfillment by making a positive difference in someone else’s life. As a professional caregiver she was gentle, kind and dedicated to the many clients who had the good fortune to be in her care.

In her spare time she enjoyed reading, sometimes devouring as many as three books a week, and anyone who knew her knew her favorite thing to do was dance!

Rita leaves to cherish her memory, daughter, Elaine Sárate Richardson; son, Leo Michael (Jolinda Chavez) Sarate; sisters, Dora (Jimmy) Chavez, Helen Rivera, Rose (Terry) Truitt, Eloise (Pedro) Valdez, Jennie (Pedro) Baldonado; brothers, Henry (Cecilia) Arvizu, and Martin (Rebekah) Arvizu; sister-in-law, Josie Arvizu; former son-in-law, Harry Richardson; grandchildren, Aaron Richardson, Noelle (Eric Joseph) Richardson, Autumn (Gabriel) Murillo, Amber Sarate, Trinity Chavez; great-grandsons, Wesley Joseph, Luke Elizondo; great-granddaughter, Kiera Joseph; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother’s, Manuel Arvizo, Jr. , Ernest Arvizu and former husband, Leonce Sarate.

Memorial services and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when larger public gatherings are permitted. Rita’s family is grateful for their family and friends. Since we are unable to gather at this time, please leave messages and memories of love and support at: https://rita-arvizu. muchloved.com.