Cecilia "Chila" Chavez Florez

Cecilia “Chila” Chavez Florez of San Manuel, Arizona, passed away on March 9, 2026, at Oro Valley Hospital. She was 80 years old. Born on November 22, 1945, in Bisbee, Arizona, to Carmen and Magdalena Arana Chavez, she was the only daughter and third of five children.

Chila and her husband Carlos Lazos Florez were high school sweethearts who married in 1971 and shared 51 loving years together. They moved from Bisbee to San Manuel, where they built a warm and welcoming home. Together they raised two children, Carlos “Carlitos” Florez and Cecilia “Cecy” Smith.

A devoted wife, mother, daughter, tia, and especially nana, Cecilia cherished her family above all else. She greeted every visitor with a smile, a cup of coffee, and her delicious cooking, ensuring no one ever left her home hungry. She loved playing bingo with her primas and “binguerra ladies,” attending Sunday mass in Mammoth with her tías, and spending time with her eight grandchildren—whom she affectionately called her “cheplaies”—and her three great-grandchildren. She worked for 13 years as a custodian with the Mammoth San Manuel School District before retiring to enjoy time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends.

Cecilia is survived by her son Carlos (Silvia) Florez of Morenci, her daughter Cecilia (Gregory) Smith of San Manuel, her grandchildren Miguel (Alma) Florez, Ivan Florez, Marcellina Florez, Hector Smith, Adrian Florez, William Smith, and Jasmine Florez, and her great-grandchildren Rome Florez, Armando Varela Jr., and Versailles Florez. She also leaves behind her brothers Lupe (Jessie) Chavez, Pancho (Hope) Chavez, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and one living tía, along with other cherished family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband Carlos L. Florez, her parents Carmen and Magdalena Chavez, her brothers Tony Chavez and Carmen Chavez, and other dear family members. Per her wishes, there will be no funeral services; she will be cremated and her ashes laid to rest with her tía at Mammoth Valley View Cemetery. Her loving spirit and generous heart will live on in all whose lives she touched.