Celia Carolina Ulibarri

Celia Carolina Ulibarri, beloved mother of ten, was born on March 24, 1934. On January 9, 2025, while resting peacefully in her residence and surrounded by her children, God called Celia to her eternal home. 

Born and raised in Youngsville, NM, Celia was the youngest of eight siblings. After completing the 8th grade, she moved to Los Alamos to live with her sister and brother-in-law, where she was able to attend Los Alamos High School, graduating in June 1951.

Celia earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of New Mexico in 1955. That same year, she married Ernest Ulibarri Jr. (Tito), beginning both her career and family life in Santa Fe. Celia and Tito settled in White Rock, New Mexico in 1964 where they continued to expand their family. After devoting herself to raising her children, Celia enjoyed working part-time at the Mary Deal Realty office until her retirement.

Celia selflessly dedicated her life to caring for her children, grandchildren, and family. She will be lovingly remembered for her unwavering faith in God as a devout Catholic. Her kindness, unending patience, humility, witty sense of humor, and unconditional love left a lasting impression on everyone she met. 

Celia is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 70 years, Tito Ulibarri; her father and mother Enrique and Higinia Serrano; brothers Eulogio (Lugarda); Cristobal (Julia); and sisters Aleja Suazo (Venceslao); Adela Salazar (Arturo); Octaviana Sanchez; Senovia Doak (Charlie); and Higinia Gore (Bob).

She is survived by her ten children and 25 grandchildren, Michael (Janelle), children: Michelle (Michael), Shantelle (Miguel), Danielle (Carlos); Lawrence (significant other Allison), children: Justin, Jesse (significant other Kiki); Marie (Manuel), children: Joshua, Micaela; Carolyn, children: Jonathan, Jeremy (Hannah); Phillip (Jennifer), children: Cody, Ryan (Makaela), Gabriella, Jacob, Lukas; Sandra (Bob), children: Samantha (Ivan), Vanessa, Shanya, Charles, Graciela; Helen (Bill); Rick (Beth), children: Aspen, Greyson; Rudy (Rose), children: Dennis; Tina (Daniel), children: Zachary, Isabel, Aliyah. She is also blessed with 12 great-grandchildren, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, caring neighbors and friends. The Ulibarri family is forever grateful to Celia’s White Rock neighbors for their extraordinary kindness and compassionate care, expressed through their thoughtful and loving actions. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025,  at 10:00 AM at Immaculate of Heart of Mary Catholic Church (3700 Canyon Road, Los Alamos, NM), followed by a Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at Los Ojos Cemetery on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 12:00 PM. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, online: alz.org or Ph: 800-272-3900.

The family of Celia Carolina Ulibarri has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of the Espanola Valley 505-747-7477.