Concepcion Chaves

Concepcion “Maria” Chaves, 94, passed away in the peace and comfort of her daughter’s home that she had shared for the past 12 years on Thursday December 29, 2022.

Maria was a native of Puerto Rico and had made the bold move with her late husband in the 1950s to immigrate to New York. She and the love of her life, Horacio Chaves,  created a life for themselves in New York, raising their children there until retirement. Maria enjoyed gardening, flowers, music, dancing, and arts and crafts. She worked hard at keeping her family’s home immaculate and was a constant source of laughter and joy to not only her family, but to all who knew her.

Maria was a member of Christian World Church.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years; her parents, Jacinto Velez-Perez and Concepcion Piñeiro-Cruz, and her 8 siblings (Candida, Daisy, Maria Luisa, Jacinto, Ramon Marin, Juan Antonio, Rafael, and Jaime). She leaves to honor her memory, her children, Sylvia Stelly and husband John of Lake Charles, Nivia Tepedino and husband Anthony of Staten Island, New York; Alvin Chaves and wife Gloria of Brooklyn, New York, Rueben Chaves and wife Elaine, and; nine grandchildren (Joseph, Michael, Vincent, Jonathan, Mariah, Jacob, Josiah, Adam and Evan); six great grandchildren (Jack, Evan, Nicholas, Cameron, Ava and Luke); and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family of the heart.

God blessed Maria with a community of loved ones near and far. The family would like to give special thanks to Maria’s dear caretaker, Kenia Guzman and the Guzman family; medical providers Bridghette Cole-Mitchell and Dr. Seep; and beloved friends-turned-family members, Sherese Haywood, Alberta Adcock, the Castro Family, Adelina and Luis Ortiz, and Jay and Maria Cotto for surrounding Maria with their love and support for many years.

Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles on Tuesday January 3, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a celebration of her life to be held at 6:00 PM with Pastors Jerry and Hope Snider leading. She will be then brought back to Puerto Rico to be beside her husband at Cementerio Jobos in Bejucos, PR.