Obituary of Phyllis Karen Fajardo-Chavez

Phyllis Karen Fajardo-Chavez passed away on March 22, 2019 after battling a severe and sudden onslaught of illness and related complications. Phyllis was born on July 17, 1948 in New York City to parents Andy and Sylvia Fajardo.

 

Phyllis graduated from Miami Central High School in 1966.  She met her future husband Raymond Chavez at Mt. Sinai hospital, where they both worked. Together, they gradually moved across the country, finally settling in El Cajon, California where Phyllis’ baby of four children, Andrea, was born. Phyllis herself is the baby of seven children. She accredited her upbringing to her oldest and dearest sister Elaine, 13 years her senior and whom stepped in to solely raise her while her own mother was going through some personal struggles. Her loss is greatly felt by her surviving sister Elaine as well as her older brothers and sisters.

 

Phyllis fully supported the family as a stay-at-home mom while husband Ray worked multiple jobs to support their financial needs, turning to Jesus as her savior and becoming a self described “Jew for Christ” under the initial tutelage of husband Ray in the early 1980’s. She literally made it her priority to teach children the word of God through her service to Awanas and to spread the good news of her salvation to all whom she met and embraced in her faith. Phyllis truly set the example by which all of her children would take up and aim to follow in her path. She demonstrated the huge heart that she has come to be known for by all of her children and grandchildren, many of which she helped to raise. She has consistently been a loving part of all their lives, always making it a point of hers to always be there to celebrate every one of their cherished memories together. For all that love and know Phyllis, her name is truly synonymous with “family” and “love”!

 

Over the years, Phyllis has found great joy in several different hobbies including collecting and selling Avon and Tupperware products, painting canvases with Tri-Chem paint line, collecting clowns, decorating in Southwestern style for the home, and later she found her true fascination and joy in all things Disney, most especially the original cast of animated characters that Disney is famous for including Mickey, Minnie and the gang! For Phyllis, Disney epitomized her true inner sense of whimsy, joy and love!

 

Phyllis Karen Fajardo-Chavez leaves behind her loving family consisting of husband Raymond, her children Michael, Stephanie, Marie and Andrea “Drea”, her grandchildren Erina, Serina, Rayna, Adam, Chrissy, Jaleesa, Aliyah , Marleesa, Kendi, Akim, Kareem, Andre, Sierra and Jason, and an amazing 11 great-grandchildren!

 

Wife of 50 years, Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma will be sorely missed and cherished by all. She has been the inspiration for all in their lives and has set the example by which all will strive to follow in their own paths as they look up to heaven at Phyllis.

 

See you there Phyllis.

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