Chonita Romero

Concepcion “Chonita” Romero passed away peacefully at her family’s home on Friday, June 20, 2014, following a prolonged illness. She was born, March 10, 1927 in San Ignacio, New Mexico to Modesto H. and Josephita (Jaramillo) Romero. She graduated from Santa Rosa High School May 1946. She devoted 42 years of service with the New Mexico State Human Service Department, working in Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, Bernalillo, and Santa Fe until her retirement in 1988. Despite many hard times she endured throughout her life she always kept a positive attitude and gave of herself, without a complaint. Every day in her life was blessed and was evident in how she treated everyone she knew. She was the matriarch of her family, the last remaining family member of her generation. She devoted her life to her family, placing their needs above her own. She never married, but was the caretaker of her mother, brother, sisters and her many nieces and nephews. She was the mother figure for Tonie Chavez, whom she raised as her own. She also devoted her life to her great niece and nephew Loretta and Larry as well as her great-great niece and nephew Debra and Jacob. While living in Albuquerque she was a member of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, and was very involved with the Church, a member of a charismatic group, and various prayer groups. Her faith inspired her to take several trips around the world which included: Yugoslavia, Rome, and Mexico City. She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Pablo, Luis and Victor Romero, four sisters, Cleofas Gutierrez, Frances Baca, Jessie Armijo Ortega and Adela Romero. Survivors include Tonie and husband Trinny Chavez, great nephew Larry, great niece Loretta, great, great nephew Jacob and great, great niece Debra and 400+ nieces, nephews, and many friends. A rosary will be held Monday, June 23rd, 2014 at 7:00pm from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 24th, at 10:00am at St. Rose of Lima Church, Father Thomas Kayammakal officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be her niece and nephews, Viola Rodriguez, Lupe Garcia, Robert Gutierrez, Alfonso Baca, Joe A. Baca, Emerenciano Baca, Eddie Gomez and Jacob Chavez. Honorary pallbearers will be all of her nephews and nieces. Visitation hours will be Monday from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home and Tuesday from 9am to 10am at the church prior to the Mass. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street, Santa Rosa, NM. (575) 472-3369.