Elsie Romero

Elsie Romero, age 91, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Elsie was born on August 12, 1932, in Colorado, to Alfred and Amalia Rodriguez; she grew up in San Luis, Colorado with her uncle and aunt, Ciprian and Candidita Rodriguez. She married Charles Romero on March 12, 1952, and they moved to Albuquerque, NM, to start a new life.

Elsie was a fulltime wife and mother until her children were old enough to take care of themselves at home. She learned to drive and began her long career in custodial and housekeeping jobs, and she took great pride in her work. During the day, she worked at the Bachelor Officer Quarters (BOQ) at Sandia Base (now Kirkland Air Force Base) and, by night, she had one of the largest routes cleaning offices for Armstrong Janitorial. After dinner, she would load up the car with cleaning supplies and her children, and with that, she taught her children a strong work ethic. Throughout the years, she maintained a full-time job, as well as side jobs cleaning houses. During those years of working many jobs, Elsie went to the University of Albuquerque and earned an associate degree. She went on to work for and retire from the University of New Mexico. She loved working and up until the end, she would say she missed working.

Elsie was diagnosed with Dementia in approximately 2011 and entered into Assisted Living in 2015. Through the years of battling Dementia and its horrible effects, Elsie maintained her graceful and loving nature amid the confusion within herself. Her sense of humor remained strong, and her smile could melt your heart. Her generosity always shined through and although she forgot her circumstances and could no longer give as she once did, she still offered! She was always willing to listen and lovingly offer her shoulder or her lap to lay your head. It was so important that she never forget her children's names; she would make sure to count each one on her fingers, looking up for confirmation that she named them all and in the right order. Even as she lay in a hospital bed, she would name off her children's names, almost as if a comfort for her.

Elsie fell and broke her left hip and after a month of fighting a very difficult fight, she grew too tired to fight any more. Over the past two years, and through this long, hard fight, the family of Mountain View Manor Assisted Living was constantly by her side, treating her with dignity; they treated her as one of their own! The patience, loving care, and support for Elsie was amazing and can never be repaid. Many, many thanks go out to the Mountain View Manor Assisted Living family.

Elsie was preceded in death by her daughter, Jennie Brubaker and granddaughter, Crystal Mondragon. She is survived by her children, Candy Mondragon, Mary Meyer, Patricia Sumners (Charlie), Josie Alderete (Leroy), Carla Larranaga (Frank), Charles "Chuck" Romero, Jr. (Josette). She is also survived by five grandsons and one step grandson, two granddaughters and three step granddaughters, and several great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, 11:00 am, at FRENCH - Westside Chapel.