Celeste Graven

Celeste Angelica Graven was born on Nov. 2, 1926 in Roswell, New Mexico to Joseph & Rebecca Varela. She died July 7, 2015 at Loma Linda Hospital in California. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Arthur Graven & sons David & James Graven & 8 siblings; Emma, Delia, George, Jacob, David, Abelardo, Richard and Servanto. Celeste was married to Arthur E. Graven in 1953. They had been married for 55 years upon his death in January 2008. Celeste is survived by her daughter, Charlene Allin & her husband Chuck; two grandsons, Chuck and Jason and 6 great grandsons, Chuck, Jason, Jeremy, Gage, Jake and Nicholas Allin. She is also survived by one remaining brother, Danny Varela and his wife Betty who still live in Sun City, CA. She was also very close to her brother Jacob's wife, Gloria Varela and their children, Jacob Joseph and Thomas. She also leaves behind numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. She will be very much missed by all who knew and loved her.

Celeste was a dog lover. She gave her "kids" an abundance of love and care. She leaves behind her 3 beloved Chihuahuas, Daisy, Sammy and Sadie. When Arthur was alive they loved to square dance. They made a lot of lifelong friends that way. When Celeste lived in Sun City before moving back to Roswell, she also instructed a very successful senior citizen exercise class. She had quite a following and they all loved the fact that she gave each and every one a hug when they arrived. We just moved mom from Roswell to Grand Terrace, CA a few weeks ago. It was her wish to be buried next to her husband in Roswell.

Mass of the Resurrection is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2015 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church with burial to follow at South Park Cemetery. Rev. Joseph Pacquing of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church will officiate.

Serving has pallbearers are Chuck Allin, Jacob Varela, Thomas Varela, Mamie Varela, Mandie Varela and Esley Robinson.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, July 17, 2015
1:00 to 5:00 pm

Service

Mass of the Resurrection

Assumption Catholic Church
2808 N. Kentucky
Roswell, NM  88201
Saturday, July 18, 2015
9:30 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203