Chastity Bowie

 With deep sorrow but also gratitude for the life she lived, we announce the passing of our beloved Chastity Bowie. A woman of deep faith, radiant love, and quiet strength, Chastity peacefully returned to Our Lord on August 17, 2025, surrounded by her family and the prayers of those who loved her most. 

 Born on April 14, 1973, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Vidal and Lynda Martinez, Chastity was raised in the Española Valley. Guided by a heart for service and love for God, she returned home to work in the field of social work, dedicating her talents to supporting and uplifting her community.

 Chastity’s life was shaped by profound love and deep devotion, to her family, her faith, and to God. Following the untimely loss of her father and grandfather Aniseto Martinez and grandmother Viola, Chastity met Albert S. Bowie, who became her husband of 23 beautiful years. Together they built a family grounded in faith, raising their children to know the joy of love, service, and devotion to the Catholic faith. 

 While juggling the busy life of motherhood, Chastity remained steadfast in her service to the Church. Her commitment to Christ blossomed through her work with San Juan Bautista Parish, and later, Sacred Heart Parish in Española. She welcomed priests and deacons into the community with warmth and care and joyfully shared her love of God with others. Her prayers were heartfelt, her service selfless, and her presence a reflection of the peace she found in Christ. 

 Chastity leaves behind a legacy of faith, compassion, and love. She is survived by her husband, Albert, and their children: Matthias, Maliana, Marisela, Mathea, and Marcellinus. She also leaves behind her beloved and loving mother, Lynda Martinez; siblings: Reynal, Jaime, his spouse Vivian, and Trish; godparents Cathy and Steve; and godchildren: Kayleena Archuleta, Golden Finch, Ilyanna Gonzales, and Reynal Martinez Jr. She is also remembered with love by her many nieces and nephews—Tyrone Finch II, Franklin Finch, DAndre Barnes, Golden Finch, Ramona Martinez, Naala, and Mayte Barnes; her in-laws—Albert and Ursula Bowie, Tyrone and Melissa Finch, Anthony and Marie Barnes, and Ken Bowie; as well as her extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles, Krissa Lopez and Leann Archuleta and countless more brothers and sisters in Christ.

 To know Chastity was to know love—fierce, faithful, and freely given. Her laughter uplifted souls, her embrace reminded us of God’s love, and her unwavering faith in the midst of suffering inspired all who walked alongside her. She would want to be remembered not for perfection, but for striving each day to grow in holiness, to forgive, and to love more deeply. Her life was a witness to the beauty of living for God, and her legacy lives on in every heart she touched. 

 In honor of Chastity, a Rosary will be held on August 20, 2025, at San Juan Bautista Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh, beginning at 6:30pm. A Funeral Mass will take place at 9:00am August 21, 2025. Chastity will then be laid to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 11:30am. Services are lovingly attended to by the compassionate team at Rivera Family Funeral Home in Espanola. We offer our most sincere condolences to all.

 “Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty, as at the love with which we do them.” –St. Therese of Lisieux.