Criselda Urquidez Sillas

Criselda Urquidez Sillas, 85, entered the gates of Heaven on August 1, 2025 passing at home surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Tuesday, August 5, 2025 followed by a vigil at 6:00 PM at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:00 AM at San Jose Catholic Church with Fr. Juan Carlos Ramirez officiating. Interment will follow at Santa Catarina Cemetery, Carlsbad, NM.

Criselda was born January 19, 1940 to the late Vicente Urquidez and Corina Armijo and faithfully raised by her grandparents, Federico and Reyes Armijo. She attended San Jose Catholic School and later served with the Altar Society, Eucharist Ministry, Homebound Ministry, Faith Sharing Group, and Caring Hands at San Jose Catholic Church as well as Christmas Anonymous.

Criselda married the love of her life, Manuel, and spent 64 memorable years together and raised four children. She also devoted 25 years working with the Carlsbad Municipal School District where she worked as a librarian at Joe Stanley Elementary School. Criselda touched many lives at the school and in the church with a heart full of Christ’s love. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

A dedicated servant of the Lord, Criselda found joy in sharing the good news of Christ with everyone she met. She lived her life through kind words, helping others, and heartfelt prayer. Her warmth, wisdom, and love touched the many lives who were drawn to her, offering grace and spiritual guidance.

Criselda cherished her family. She is lovingly known as hun, mom, sister, grandma, Abuelita, and lita. She shaped our lives through her kindness, prayers, her unwavering devotion to Christ, and her unconditional love to everyone. She loved us all deeply, and we felt it. We hope you were able to feel our love pouring right back at you because we love you so much, forever and ever.

May Criselda’s memory be a blessing, and may we carry forth her legacy of love and compassion in all that we do. Her love will definitely be missed and we will always carry her abundant love forever in our hearts.

Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Criselda was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel. She is survived by her children: Aurelio Sillas and wife, Rita, Celina Martinez and husband, Thomas, Albert Sillas, and Melissa Ramirez and husband, David; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren

Pallbearers will be Ryan Martinez, Jacob Martinez, James Martinez, Janelle Ramirez, Kristin Ramirez, Joshua Ramirez, Stephanie Sillas, and Cynthia Sillas.

In lieu of flowers, send cards to Sillas Family, 5909 Westward Ln NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. Please share how she touched your life!

 Memorial contributions may be made to Christmas Anonymous, PO Box 655, Carlsbad, NM 88221.