Helen Chavez was laid to rest alongside her husband at the Cesar Chavez National Monument in Keene.

The Chavez family, fellow activist Dolores Huerta, mariachi musicians, and over 100 members the public came to pay their respects to the woman who helped support the United Farm Workers. Family friend Cardinal Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles conducted the graveside service while UFW President and son-in-law Arturo Rodriguez closed out the ceremony by leading the mourners in a prayer written by her.

A funeral mass was held earlier in the day at St. Malachy Church in Tehachapi, where condolences were read from Pope Francis.

Helen Chavez died last week at 88.

Kelli Forsch