Elizabeth "Betty" - Age 66 - Velard Romero

Elizabeth “Betty” Romero, born September 17, 1944, died on January 9, 2011. She was preceded in death by her father, Procopio Lovato; mother, Emma Lovato; brother, Art Lovato; and sister, Ida Martinez. Betty was an artist and created many beautiful paintings throughout the years. She loved to make doll clothes for her granddaughter’s dolls, especially for Christmas. She loved to bowl and was a member of the Rio Grand Senior bowling League and the Mixed Mavericks leagues in Española. She loved the outdoors. She loved to go camping, pick piñon, go fishing, and ride the ATV. She was always helping Joe with the everyday operations (calving, branding, trail drives, rounding up cattle, bookkeeping, etc.) of the ranch in the Velarde, Truchas, and Penasco area. She always made sure that when people came to help on the ranch or just visit, they were fed good and plenty. She always made everyone feel welcome and at home. Betty was well known in the ranching community. She will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends. Mrs. Romero is survived by her husband, Joe A. Romero; children, Rhonda Abangan and husband Calvin, Andrea Harvey and husband Paul, Paula Dominguez and husband Ernesto, Roland “Eddie” Gutierrez and significant other, Edith Mancilla, who Betty always considered a daughter-in-law; step-daughter, Anita Lopez and husband Sam; step-son, Neil Romero; sisters, Celia Herrera, Stella Alfaro and husband Raul, and Toni Bookout and husband Doug; brothers, Gil Lovato and significant other, Sydell Kosby, and Leo Lovato; brother and sisters-in-law, Agnes Vigil and husband Johnny, Evelyn Heaphy and husband Mike, Floyd Romero and wife, Josie and Louella Phillips and husband Chuck; grandchildren, Briana, Mathew, Joshua, Tatum, Brooke, Luna, and Diego; step-grandchildren, Melissa, Josh, Amber and Damien and 1 step-great grand-daughter, Jessica; 26 nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Public visitation will begin on Friday, January 14, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Velarde. Burial to follow at the Velarde Catholic Cemetery. The Romero family has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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