Marcella Vallejo Chapa

Marcella Vallejo Chapa

1921 – 2011

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister.  Our angel, Marcella Vallejo Chapa, took flight November 26^th, 2011.

Marcella was born October 7^th, 1921 to Felipa and Angel Vallejo in Aguascalientes, Mexico and moved to Santa Barbara, California when she was seven years old.   She spent her childhood alongside her parents and four siblings Mary, Thomas, Domingo and Vidal.  She married Charles Puente Chapa in Santa Barbara on October 21^st, 1940, and together they raised nine children.  They moved to Utah in 1956, where they lived in Ogden and across the Salt Lake Valley, and saw their family grow to include 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.

Marcella was a loving and nurturing mother and wife who selflessly committed her life to her family.  She was the kindest soul who was equally content listening to Mexican music, the Judds and Lawrence Welk as she was cheering on the Jazz.  She loved to crochet and play cards, though she famously reminded her family that “there’s no love lost when it comes to canasta.”  Her mastery of the kitchen, especially of Mexican dishes, is unmatched.

She is survived by her children Lawrence (Madeleine), Tillie (Rich) Young, Richard (Joni), Mary (De) Davenport, Philip (Susan), Connie Bennett, Peter, Benny and Alfonso (Nubia); brothers Mingo and Lally (Juanita); and her many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband Charles; sister Mary; and brother Tommy.

A wake will be held on Thursday, December 1^st from 6 until 8 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.  A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 2^nd at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 East Creek Rd. (8080 South), where friends my call upon the family one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Liberty Senior Center, 251 East 700 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.

The family extends their sincerest gratitude to the staff at St. Joseph’s Villa for the kindness and genuine love given to Marcella in the last years of her life.