ELENA ERNESTINE (ROMERO) 1919-2012 Age 93, a resident of Belen, NM, formerly of Gladstone, NM, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 6, with her children by her side. Elena was born in Chico, NM, on March 27, 1919. She grew up in Northeastern New Mexico, namely Chico, and met her future husband, Sam Armijo while attending Tafoya School in Chico, NM. They were married at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Springer, NM on November 24, 1935, and celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in 2006. Elena was a housewife and mother of 11 children. She was an avid seamstress and made most of their children's clothing and household items, was active in their sheep and cattle business, raised chickens, and also served as a substitute school bus driver for Union and Colfax Counties. In addition, her hobbies included crocheting, gardening, canning, and especially quilting. She won several first, second and third place ribbons at the county fair in Springer, as well as an award for being the oldest quilter. In her later years, she learned to play the guitar and sang in the church choir. She had a wonderful sense of humor. The Blessed Mother and the Sacred Wounds and Mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, were Elena's special devotions. She had a very strong love for her Catholic faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cenaida Gomez Romero and J.L. Romero; husband, Sam Armijo; son, Alfonso; daughter, Lucinda; brothers, Andres, Fidel, Eliseo, Margarito and Joe L. Jr.; and sisters, Margarita, Anita and Manuelita. Elena is survived by her children, Angelita Armijo-Saylor, Victor Armijo, Maria Alicia Armijo, Carolina Alexander, Beatriz Amadita Grine, J.B. Armijo, Gilbert Lewis Armijo, Gerald Armijo and Leduina Armijo; sister, Josephine Aranda; sisters-in-law, Esther Hererra, Rosalie Armijo, Lillian Trujillo, Virginia Garcia, Julia Cordova, Berta Chavez, and Cecilia Mertz; 35 grandchildren; six step grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends. Services will be held at San Clemente Catholic Church in Los Lunas on Saturday, June 9, beginning with a viewing at 7:00 p.m., followed by a vigil service and the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Monday, June 11, services at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springer will begin with a viewing at 9:00 a.m., Rosary at 9:30 a.m., and a funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church Cemetery in Palo Blanco, NM. Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, (505)864-4448, 418 W. Reinken Ave., where an online guest register is available at: www.noblinfuneralservice.com
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