- Date Of Birth: April 3, 1940
- Date Of Death: July 28, 2021
- State: New Mexico
Eleanor Vaz passed away at one of her favorite places, her beloved home in Roswell, NM, on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Her bright personality entered the world on April 3, 1940, in Bryon, CA to John and Mary Nunes. The strong family bond that was cherished throughout her life was established at an early age. Eleanor, the youngest of four children, and whose mother was widowed before she was born, was primarily raised by “three loving ladies”, her mother, her grandmother, and her godmother. Her Uncle Edward served as her honorary father.
Eleanor’s family moved to Escalon, CA in 1947. She graduated from Escalon High School in 1958. Meeting the moment of their first kiss on New Year’s Eve in 1959, Eleanor was quickly swept away by the love of her life, Raymond Vaz. They married on June 24, 1961. Ray and Eleanor’s beautiful family grew quickly. Full of love and always busy, the Vaz family members were devout parishioners of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Escalon, leaders within Oakdale F.E.S., and showed dairy cattle through 4-H and FFA.
California was her home, but her New Mexico roots grew deep and strong from the moment Eleanor and her family moved to Roswell in 1993.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents and brother John Nunes. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Raymond Vaz; her six children Raymond Jr. (Julie), Renee, Valerie, Andy (Lorri), Jerry (Katy), Sandy (Mal); 21 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren, with two more arriving soon; her siblings Ed Nunes (Angie) and Mary Augusto; and numerous well-loved nieces and nephews.
As a true matriarch, Eleanor put the needs of others before herself. She is probably looking down on us now using her famous phrase, “I’m fine.”
