Carmen Louise Chacon

Carmen Louise (Montes) Chacon passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Carmen began her journey on this Earth August 8, 1953, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to parents Rudolfo “Rudy” Montes (deceased) and Anna U. Lujan (deceased). She was raised by grandparents Amalia R. (deceased) and Alejandro Montes (deceased). She called Northern New Mexico home for the majority of her life, but Las Vegas Nevada also became her home in her later years.

Carmen spent most of her school years in Santa Fe, NM, graduating from Saint Michaels High School, and then went on to attend college at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. As a lifelong learner she loved to study theology and grow in knowledge about her faith. Carmen also loved teaching, sharing her knowledge of religion, and her skills and talents with others.

She was a person of exceptional intelligence and multiple talents. Some of her hobbies included philanthropy, public speaking, sewing, various arts and crafts, jewelry making, cooking, and baking. She often used the talents that she acquired from her hobbies in service to others or to provide some type of kind gesture. She enjoyed spending time with her family and close friends.

Carmen is survived by her siblings, sister Theresa “Terry” Sanchez, and brother Michael Montano, her three children and their spouses, Reyna Corral (Armando), Alejandro Chacon (Sarah), and Crista Chacon, as well as Natalie Martinez (Alfonso), Christopher Alcala, and Maria Martinez, whom she loved as her own children. In addition, she is survived by Claudio P. Chacon, her grandchildren Gabriella Sisson (Forrest), Dominique Needens (Tyler), Nicholas Chacon, Raquel Chacon, Danielle Jimenez, AJ Martinez, Alizabeth Martinez, Destinee Martinez, and her great grandchildren Chrysanthos and Halen Needens, and Naomi Sission.

Carmen had many beloved family members and friends that she cherished, including lifelong friends Jane and Eloy Romero, Yvonne Rivera, Terry Fitch, Josina Martinez and special friends Terrie Salazar and Yolanda Montoya who helped and stood by her.

Carmen was preceded in death by brothers Ernest Martinez, Michael Montes, and Florentino Sena, and grandson Mark Anthony Herrera.

Service Information:

Carmen’s Services have been entrusted to the caring professionals of Rivera Family Funeral Home in Espanola NM.

In honor of Carmen, services will be held on Friday July 25, 2025, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Church in Espanola NM with a Rosary at 9:30 am, Mass at 10:30 and Burial at 11:30 with reception to follow in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall.

Officiant: Rev. Fr. Benjamin Onwumelu

Pallbearers: Crystal Armijo, Ryan Borunda, Nicholas Chacon, Isaiah Montes-Martinez, Andrew Padilla, and Omar Trujillo.

Honorary Pallbearers: Jesse Dalton, Maria Martinez, Jose Palomares, Aaron Thronas.

The family would like to extend our gratitude for the outpouring of love and support that we have received from family and friends. Special thanks to her beloved Borunda Family members, niece Crystal Armijo and nephew Isaiah Montes -Martinez who traveled to provide love and support to Carmen and our family in her last days.