Virginia Romero

There’s a new star in heaven tonight.  On October 26, 2020, our mom, Virginia “Gigi” Romero was called home.  She passed away peacefully surrounded by her children who loved and cared for her as she took her final breath and took her place with the Lord in Heaven.

Our mom was born November 26, to Fred Martinez and Elena Lucero. She grew up in Ranchos de Taos and was raised by her Tio Páte n Tia Cinda Garcia and grandma Andrellita Brito.

There are so many great things we can say about our mom. She was so kind and loving and cared about everyone she knew; not only to people but with the animals too.  Mom would feed the birds the crumbs she gathered from the table and even fed the ants if there was anything sweet like syrup or jelly, only to get bit by the ants…and in spite of that, she never stopped doing it.

Our mom had a big heart and welcomed everybody into her home. She loved making her salsa and tostadas for everybody and made her famous spaghetti on special occasions.  Most of Kardo’s friends called her mom and she treated them as if they were her children.  She even raised her younger brother Leroy, as her own child along with Kardo, Emma and JoAnne.  As adults, whenever any one of us would visit, she’d always want to send food home with us…and made sure to remind us, “bring back my containers.”

She loved listening to her music; Spanish, Mariachis and oldies were always playing on the radio in her home.  Her memory was so good that she remembered everyone’s birthday and would play Las Mañanitas over the phone early in the morning. Mom used to tell us stories about joining dance contests with my dad when they were young and doing the jitterbug to the song, In The Mood. She said they always won.

Our mom lived a good life.  She lived a hard life, but it was good.  She knew so many people and because of her kind and generous heart, she made friends with everyone and they genuinely cared for her.  She struggled a lot with her health, but she always had a positive attitude and a grateful heart.  It was because of that strong faith she had that her children know how to pray and have their own special relationship with the Lord. Our mom always bragged about her guardian angel, Clarence, whom she said, was always with her.  And although her memory was slowly deteriorating, she never forgot how to pray nor did she forget the names of her children.  

While our mom had her struggles with her health, it took on a new level a few years ago. It was then that she had to leave her home and move in with her daughters because she could no longer care for herself on her own. Emma, JoAnne, and Andrea became her caregivers and helped her each day to ensure she had everything she needed.  We all helped out once in a while, but it was the three sisters who gave up their own lives to take care of mom. 

Our mom is preceded in death by her parents, adoptive parents, and our dad, Walter. Her brothers; Ernie, Fito, Ruben “Niter”, and Bennie and sister in law, Josie. Her sisters; Berlie, Bertha, and Anabelle. Infant son, Billy, grandsons; Josiah and Matthew; granddaughter Nirvana and her husband, Coon (Nathan). 

She is survived by her children, Richard “Kardo” (Tepreth), Emma Jean, JoAnne (Steven), Walter, Annette, Pasqual, Andrea and Marta. Grandchildren include: Mariel, Astrea, Tommy (Paula), James, Richard, Javier, Rosa, Pascualito (Leeandra), Angelina, Emilio, Daniel, Marcos, Kristofer “BooBoo” (Chelsea); 18 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren.

It is so amazing that she had such a big family! Over 50 and that’s just her children and their children, and their children….oh how blessed she was!

Our mom was so proud of her family. They all brought her so much joy and she loved each one of us in her own special way. So special that each of us can say we were her favorite, only because she made us feel that way all the time. She truly loved us all with her heart of gold.

She is also survived by her brothers: Robert (Bea), Leroy (Muriel) and Gaspar. Sisters:  Dolores (Robert), Christie (Bennie), Lillian, and Lorraine along with many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

I would like to say thank you to our mom for all the love she gave us and all the silly things she used to say and do.  Thank you for teaching us how to love and how to pray and how important God is.  Thank you for teaching us that each of us is special and so capable of being strong, smart, independent and successful.  Thank you for having many children because we can lean on each other when we need to, we can talk to each other when we need to, and we can continue to spend time with each other because we are family.  Thank you for teaching us how to cook and how to be good parents to our children.  Thank you for teaching us how to pray because we have taught our kids to pray and we know they will teach their children to pray.  That is something we can give credit to you for.  Thank you for teaching us to be respectful and kind to everyone because there is always good in everyone.  And thank you for being the best mom anybody could ever ask for. 

We love you mom, and we will never, ever forget you.

Our mom will be laid to rest on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Pacheco Cemetery.

We are asking if you choose to attend, please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

And for those who are musically inclined, please bring your musical instruments and voices so we can sing and celebrate my mom’s life like she wanted us to. Thank you . 

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home, Taos.  To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com