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APRIL DARLING ROSE of Albuquerque died Saturday, December 24, 2011, after a battle with leukemia. She was 20. April was born on April 15, 1991, in Modesto, Calif., to Daniel R. and Sylvia M. Herrera. As a toddler, she would accompany her mother to the homes of newborns with Down syndrome to demonstrate to new families that everything would be OK. Even when very young, she exhibited a flair for showmanship and her unique sense of humor. Her gentle heart and love of life left a positive impact on all who knew her. April is survived by her parents, Daniel and Sylvia Herrera; her sisters, Layla A. Herrera, Janus E. Topolski and Capt. John Topolski, USMC, and Celina A. Herrera and Rosario Blanco; her nieces, Aurelia and Iliana Blanco; her grandmothers, Josie W. Martinez and Martha T. Herrera; and her soulmate and fiance, Gabriel Nagurski, whom she planned to marry in 2014. She also is survived by numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. April moved with her family to Albuquerque in 1995. She graduated with the Class of 2009 from Cibola High School, where she was awarded letters in academics for her consistently high GPA and in athletics in recognition of her many years as a Special Olympics athlete. A longtime member of the Rio Rancho Rockets, April competed over the years in basketball, swimming, track and field, gymnastics, volleyball, golf, bowling and soccer. She was named Aquatics Athlete of the Year in 2007. She also played a season of baseball in the Petroglyph Challenger League. After high school, April enrolled in Albuquerque Public Schools' CTAP program, where her job-training projects included working at Saver's on San Mateo, Roadrunner Food Bank, Cuidando Los Ninos and St. Mary's Rest Home. A lifelong music fan, April played the role of a chicken in the Santa Fe Opera's 1999 production of Benjamin Britten's "Noah's Flood." She also was a member of the 10 a.m. choir at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Community. At St. Joseph's, April received the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, at which time she selected St. Rose of Lima as her patron and adopted her name. Archbishop Michael Sheehan cited her confirmation letter during his homily. April also loved watching movies, writing notes and drawing, photography and reading. Her morning ritual started with retrieving the Albuquerque Journal from the front porch to scan the paper for news about cops, criminals and car wrecks, her favorite topics. Visitation will be Friday, December 30, 2011, in the Gabaldon Memorial Chapel from 6:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. by Maria Romero. Final visitation will be at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church, 5901 St. Joseph Drive NW from 9:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monsignor Lambert Luna presiding. Internment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ernie Matamorez, Bill Monthan, Rosario Blanco, John Topolski, Archie Romero III and Shiv Patel. The family would like to thank Dr. Mitchell Binder and the doctors and staffs of Presbyterian's Cancer Center, Medical Specialties Unit, Adult Intensive Care and Critical Cardiac Care and UNM Carrie Tingley Hospital for their hard work, professionalism and compassion during her illness, as well as family and friends for their support and prayers during this difficult period. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in April's memory to the Rio Rancho Rockets Special Olympics team, c/o Coach Mike Torres, 847 Chuckwagon Road, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.
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