Mary Chino

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 24, at St. Joseph's Apache Mission for Mary Jane Chino of Alamogordo, New Mexico. Burial will take place following the services at the Mescalero Cemetery.

Mary Jane was born on September 28, 1959, in Mescalero, New Mexico. She passed away peacefully on July 16, 2021, at home in Alamogordo with her family by her side.

Janie, as she was affectionately known, was raised by her adoptive parents Walter and Trinidad Balatche. She had two older adopted siblings, Jeanine Martine and Maryanne Sago. Both deceased.

Her biological parents were Lewis and Ollie Chino. Her siblings include Leeta Blazer, Frederick Chino Sr. (deceased), Kita Saenz, Victoria Davis (deceased), Tanis Torres (deceased), Roden Chino, Terrell Chino, and Harriet Aguilar.

Her children are Selena Herrera, Laquita Melton, Bridget Chino, Joseph "Ryan" Garcia, Jessica Chavez (deceased) and Michael Chavez (deceased).

Janie grew up in Mescalero. She attended Riverside Indian School in Anadarko, Oklahoma and graduated in 1977. She also attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.

She met her life partner, Anthony "Tony" Chavez 36 years ago. They were inseparable and together they raised their children in Alamogordo. Janie worked various jobs including, construction, office work, and customer service. She was always friendly and outgoing. She made everyone laugh and loved to joke around.

The most important thing to Janie was her faith in God and second was her family. She was a devout Catholic and instilled her beliefs in her family. She loved her children, her ten grandchildren and her two great-grandchildren deeply. She was so proud of all of them and never stopped encouraging them.

Janie was an extraordinarily strong, and independent woman whom her kids called "Wonder Woman". Her health started failing at a young age, but she always proved her strength and resilience by pushing through all of ailments silently, graciously, and without complaint. To Janie, her family and their well-being was more important than her illnesses.

She loved nature and camping. She went on many great camping trips, and they always turned into an adventure. Albuquerque was another place she loved to go during the State Fair. She loved the sights, sounds, and smells of the fair. Also, of course she loved to gamble. Her and Tony loved to frequent the casinos in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

She also loved entertaining and singing karaoke in her house. Christmas was a special time to her, and many would gather to share Christmas Eve at her home.

You could always find a place to sleep, eat or just sit and talk at her home. She never turned anyone away. There was no judgement, only love.

She will be remembered for her laughter, and her kind heart. Today, we wish our "Wonder Woman" a happy journey. Until we meet again, we know that you have earned your cape. We love you dearly.