Ramona Padilla

Ramona Padilla, 77 of Vaughn, NM died Thursday, January 15, 2009 in Roswell surrounded by her family. Ramona was born January 11, 1932 in Santa Rosa to the home of Alberto Chavez and Margarita (Olivas) Chavez. In her earlier years she loved to travel and cook for her family. She was always ready to celebrate one of her Anniversaries or someone’s birthday. She usually invited all of her family and enjoyed their company. She especially enjoyed sharing stories and laughing with her sisters and brothers. Her nephews and nieces brought her a lot of joy and happiness. Ramona and Lalo have owned and operated Lalo’s in Vaughn for the last 36 years, 22 years in the most recent site. Both of them provided the town all their needs through their business. Lalo’s is known by most in Southeast NM. In the past years they have made many friends going through their doors at the store. She was a member of St. Mary’s church in Vaughn for the past 36 years. She prayed for her kids and grand kids to do well in whatever profession they went into. She always advised them “I don’t care what you do with your life just do it right”. Her friends were very important to her and sitting down with the girls for a glass of wine and a cigarette made her day. She liked to dance and especially listen to mariachi music. Everyone who knew Ramona has a story to tell and we will never forget them. We will always remember her and laugh with her through those stories. She lived life like the old Frank Sinatra song “I did it my way”. Her family and friends will miss her greatly. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. Ramona married Lalo Padilla in 1951 they were married for 57 years. They lived in Santa Rosa then Vaughn for the past 40 years. Survivors include her husband Lalo of Vaughn; two sons Louis Padilla of Las Vegas, NM; Albert Padilla and wife Debora of Santa Fe, NM; four sisters Lizzie and husband Carlos Romero of Santa Rosa, Corrine Marquez of Santa Rosa, Margaret and husband Victor Padilla of Albuquerque, Annie and husband Leroy Campos of Santa Rosa, two brothers Ernest and wife Rose Chavez of Albuquerque and Fernie Chavez of Santa Rosa. Also surviving are six grandchildren Erica Padilla of Honolulu, Hawaii, Janell Padilla and Fiancée Rudy Navarro of Portland, Oregon, Dennica and husband Mathew Torrez of Albuquerque, Julia Padilla of Albuquerque, Samuel Lee of Santa Fe, Anne Marie Padilla of Santa Fe, Christopher Layba from Denver, CO. She has three great grandchildren Darion Rose Faulkner, Ciana Rose Faulkner and Enmarae Rose Torrez all of Albuquerque. She also has numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Ramona was preceded in death by her sisters Jessie Chavez on November 8, 2006, Connie Aragon on September 3, 2007 her brother Albert Chavez on September 12, 2007 and Mother, Margarita Olivas Chavez and father Albert Chavez. Rosary Services will be held at 7:00PM Sunday January 18, 2009 at St. Rose of Lima Church in Santa Rosa and Monday January 19, 2008 at 7:00 PM at St. Mary’s church in Vaughn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at St. Mary’s Church in Vaughn with Father Anthony Bolman officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Vaughn. Pallbearers will include Steve Chavez, Andre Padilla, Pat Chavez, Leroy Chavez, Robert Campos, Dennis Romero and Dan Padilla. Honorary Pallbearers are all of her loving nephews and nieces. All services are entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa. For online condolences log onto www.chavezfuneralhome.com