Flora Santillanes

Flora Santillanes passed away, peacefully at her home, on August 15th, 2020 at the age of 87. Flora was born on January 19th, 1933 in Quemado, New Mexico, the daughter of Manuel Chavez & Librada Gomez. 

In 1948, Flora’s independent spirit compelled her to move away from her beloved small hometown and set her sights on the ‘big’ city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. During her time in Albuquerque, Flora saw both her personal & professional dreams realized. By 1955, Flora was the mother to four beautiful girls, Elaine, Rita, Dora & Ruby, by 1962 she became a successful beautician, and by the beginning of 1965 she had met & married the absolute love of her life, Eloy Santillanes. 

Shortly after their marriage in 1965, Flora & Eloy moved to Colorado Springs, CO in pursuit of better career opportunities. In 1967, Flora was sadly & tragically preceded in death by her second eldest daughter, Rita – a loss that Flora would carry with her for the remainder of her days. 

For 55 years Flora continued to cultivate a wonderfully beautiful life in Colorado with her husband & her family. Never one to complain, to judge, or to take for granted her blessings, Flora was God’s gift to her family, her friends and to all those who were lucky enough to know her. Flora was an amazing cook, with an insatiable sweet tooth, she had an unmatched green-thumb, found pleasure in decorating, and would never pass up an opportunity to go to Cripple Creek. 

Flora is preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Librada Chavez, her sister Jo, her brother Rudy, and her daughter Rita. In her final weeks and days, Flora was surrounded by those that she loved and cherished most in this world. Flora is survived by her husband of 54 years, Eloy Santillanes, her eldest daughter Elaine Valdez, son-in-law, Delbert Valdez, daughter Dora Santillanes, her youngest daughter Ruby Alire, and her sisters, Barbara, Lydia, Corrina and Patsy. Additionally, Flora is survived by an abundance of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even a great-great grandchild. 

Flora died, as she lived, with unwavering faith and on her own terms. Her beautiful home, now empty of her, is still robust with her precious angel trinkets, her antiques, her pictures of all those she cherished most, and is an enduring symbol of a life well lived. Flora was loved dearly and will be dearly missed by all those who were lucky enough to have stood in her precious light. 

A funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on E. Pikes Peak Ave. in Colorado Springs, CO. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made, in Flora’s name, to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

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