Elfida Esquibel Benavidez

April 29, 1927 - April 25, 2021

1927-2021 Elfida Esquibel Benavidez, age 93, a resident of Bosque, NM, passed away on April 25, 2021. She was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. Elfida married Selauro Benavidez shortly after the end of WWII in 1946. She lived with her spouse in Albuquerque for a short time, but their desire was to farm and raise their expanding family in the beautiful Bosque valley. Elfida returned and settled in her husband’s childhood home, where he was raised by his grandparents. They expanded their business and worked it for more than fifty years until her husband’s death. Elfida continued to live in Valencia County up until her passing at the age of 93. She was just four days shy of her 94th birthday when she went to meet the Lord. Elfida had a beautiful smile, a great sense of humor and an amazing work ethic. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Elfida and all of her generation are indeed “The Greatest Generation” as attested to in the book by Tom Brokaw. Elfida is preceded in death by her husband, Selauro Benavidez; mother, Adelina Esquibel Silva; daughters-in-law, Gretchen Foster Benavidez and Rody Gabaldon Benavidez. She was the last of her surviving siblings: Roberto Silva, Luis Silva, Avilio Silva, Ramona Lopez, Aciana Silva, Simon Silva and Estela Trujillo. Also preceded in death is her step-grandson Matthew Freeman. She is survived by her four children, Robert Benavidez (Jan), Lena Hands (James), Marlene Benavidez and Carlos Benavidez (Annette) and nine grandchildren, Karen Winmer, Kristina Benavidez, James Hands, Judith Pennington, Julian Hands, Celina Benavidez, Melissa Marks, Celeste Grabowski and Tawnya Archuleta; and 12 great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. Services will be private. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery. The Benavidez family wishes to thank the following: Vickie Kaiser (caregiver) for your dedication, kindness and empathy; Sierra Springs for not only Mom’s needs, but for their compassion. Special thanks to Jessica (mama), Marissa (baby), Jackie, Sandra and Sam; you were amazing. Thank you also to the staff at Armada Hospice, especially Michele and Anna - you were awesome. And lastly, thanks to all the well-wishers and kindness of those in our community and Romero Funeral Home for outstanding service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Elfida’s name to the Jessica Sanchez Enlighten Your Life Foundation. Please sign Elfida’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM