Bernice was born in Platteville, Colorado to her mother Lucy Montoya and father Joe Vigil. She spent her early childhood in Platteville where she would later work in the produce fields to make wages with her siblings. Bernice and her family moved to Denver in the late 40s where she would begin her own life journey. In Denver She became a parishioner of the Sacred heart Catholic Church and was a member of the sodality for 49 years. She worked the local dry cleaning service where she would meet her husband Antonio Chavez. They married May, 25th 1962 and stayed married for 34 years until the passing of Antonio in 1996. She is survived by her four children. Debby, Steven, Tammy and Geno; 17 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren; as well as three of her siblings, Rudy. Betty and Marykay (Cathy)
Bernice’s life was fulfilled by being a god fearing woman, her faith ran deep and she was a proud and devoted catholic. She was an amazing cook and baker, she loved to cook good meals for her family, her neighbors and always made sure to bake goodies for church bake sales. She loved her grandchildren beyond words and played a pivotal role in all of their lives growing up as she was also a local baby sitter for friends in the neighborhood. Being a grandmother was an honor to Bernice, her family was very important to her.
The family would like to thank her neighbors Angie, Michelle, and Margaret, the Kaiser permanente staff, the Denver health staff, for all the care and help with our beloved Bernice over the years.
