Chama resident Bersila Sanchez 96, passed away October 20, 2017 at home, under hospice care, surrounded by her loving family. Bersila was born on August 27, 1921 in Chama, Colorado, the beloved daughter of Rufino Vialpando and Uvaldita Rael Vialpando. Bersila in her younger days she loved to garden and grow her flowers, she loved cooking, doing crossword puzzles, traveling and going to bingo, and spending time with her loving grandchildren, family and friends. Bersila was an extraordinary and loving, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her sons Lucas Sanchez and Jose (Linda) Sanchez both from Chama, CO, Joseph (Amelia) Sanchez of Thornton, CO, John (Sandy) of Bailey, CO; Sister Helen Russell of Colorado Springs, CO; Brothers Rudy (Dora) Vialpando of Pueblo, CO, Henry (Edalia) Vialpando, Harold (Virginia) Vialpando, Floyd (Maria) Vialpando, all of Colorado Springs, CO, Wilfred (Gloria) Vialpando of Chama, CO, 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bersila was preceded in death by her parents Rufino and Uvaldita Vialpando, her husband Lucas Sanchez, sons Levi and Ervin Sanchez, grandsons Sam Jr. and Brian Sanchez, great-granddaughter Lila Angel Lopez brothers Willy, Ben, Adelmo and Dan Vialpando.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM then a Rosary will be held at 10:00 Am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Chama with Mass of the Resurrection to follow at 11:00 AM also at Immaculate Conception in Chama. Interment will follow at the Chama Cemetery in Chama. The care of arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of San Luis.