Mellie C. Nuanez

Mellie C. Nuanez, known as ‘Nanie’ to her loved ones, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2020 in her daughter’s loving arms. She was born in Torreon, NM on October 21, 1938 to Jose de Jesus and Crucita Chavez. She moved to Phoenix, AZ with her family in the 1940s to work the fields. The crops rotated in AZ which meant her family didn’t have to move around to follow the work. While most of her silbings relocated, Phoenix was her home.

Upon her retirement from Motorola in 1996, she focused on raising Karen and pursuing her passions. She was a true patriot and an active member of the American Legion Post #41. She participated in many local parades and fundraisers, worked the polls and often volunteered. The one quality that outweighed her patriotism was her faith.

As a devout Catholic, she always made her faith the center of her home and life. She sang in the church choir for many years and, in 1987, sang for Pope John Paul II. Anytime she ended a call or said her goodbyes, you would always hear her say “God is with you!”. She walked in his perpetual light and shared it with everyone she came across.

She is preceded by her parents, her siblings Bennie, Nellie, Esequiel, Julian, Poli and Jose, her daughter Crucita “Crucy” Olivares and, recently, her granddaughter Sonya and great granddaughter Lorena. She is survived by her siblings, Chris and Flora, her children Linda, Pauline, Rachel, Alfonso Jr., Irene and Karen, 28 grandchildren, 63 great grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren.

Services will take place on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1954 N 24th St, in Phoenix. Visitation begins at 9:30am and the Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 AM.  Burial to follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N 48th St., in Phoenix.

For those who cannot attend, services will be live and available via

https://www.facebook.com/stagnesphx/live