Epimenia Casarez

Epimenia “Nena” Casarez, 89, a native of La Union, New Mexico and a resident of Madera for 75 years, passed away Sunday Dec. 1, 2019.

She was a member of St. Joachim Catholic Church and a past member of the Guadalupana Society and enjoyed working at the St. Vincent De Paul thrift store.

Nena enjoyed spending time with family and friends. As a young woman, she lived on the family farm and helped her father and brothers run a hay hauling business as well as care for the farm animals and crops. Nena loved music and dancing and when a favorite song would play, she was sure to kick up her heels! She had a contagious laugh that would fill a room with happiness. She was also an excellent cook and no one could make better tortillas and chile rellenos. Any time she had visitors she was prepared to feed whomever entered her home.

She was a special tia to many of her nieces and nephews and will always be remembered for the joy she brought into our lives. She loved her family and was very proud of her roots from New Mexico.

Nena was predeased by her husband Juan Casarez, Sr., her Son Juan Casarez, Jr., her parents Nolberto Chavira and Francisca Chavira, brothers Robert, Ramon, Cecil, Manuel, Ramiro and Nick Chavira, and sister Juana Elisalde, nephew Jessie Chavira and brothers in law Tony Romo Jr. and Ralph Villalobos.

She is survived by her brothers Frank Chavira of Madera and Joe Chavira of Los Angeles, CA along with her three sisters, Joanne Romo of Madera, Gloria Villalobos of Fresno and Aurora Cisneros of Fresno and numerous Nieces and Nephews.

Visitation will begin Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 from 2 pm to 7 pm at Jay Chapel. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 7:00 pm.

Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019 at 11:00 am at St Joachim Catholic Church in Madera.

Remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.