Emilia "Emma" Romero

Emilia B. Romero

(May 21, 1938 – January 28, 2023)

Emilia B. "Emma" Romero, age 84, passed away peacefully at her home in Milagro, New Mexico, with her family by her side. Emma was born in San Ignacio, New Mexico, to the home of Jose Efren Martinez and Albina Madrid-Martinez. Emma grew up in San Ignacio and lived her entire married life in Milagro with her husband, Paublin Romero, until he passed away at age 65. She continued to live the rest of her life with her daughter Joyce and her granddaughter Jenna.

She attended Santa Rosa High School and received her diploma. She married Paublin on September 26, 1959, at St. Rose of Lima church. They moved to Montana for a few years until they went to Oklahoma, where their daughter Joyce was born. They then moved to Texas until Joyce was in the 1st grade and decided to settle in Milagro. She worked at the Milagro Station for the Smith and Ortega family and as a waitress at the Truckstops of America. Her final workplace was at the Flying 'C' Ranch, where she retired in 2001.

Emma was a happy-go-lucky person who loved to sing in church and spend time with family any chance she got. She loved to embroider and crochet until her hands would no longer cooperate. She loved her flowers and planting them. She spent many years as a wife and mother until Joyce went to see the world. She later took care of her mother-in-law for a while and her mother until she passed. Once her granddaughter Jenna arrived, she was back to being a mother hen and keeping her on track. She spent her later years visiting her neighbors Sonny and Patty Rausch, who moved here from Michigan in 2000. Their weekly visits were something she looked forward to immensely. She always remembered her siblings' birthdays and holidays, and she loved each and every one of them greatly.

Emma is preceded in death by her husband, Paublin Romero, and her parents, Jose Efren and Albina Martinez. Her brothers; Fermin Martinez, Jr. Martinez and Albert Martinez. Her in-laws; Paublin Sr. and Cleotide Romero. Her brothers-in-law: Pete Romero, Trinnie Romero, Greg Romero, and Isidro Romero, and her sisters-in-law: Bennie Tapia, Lydia Encinias, Dora Garnand, and Rita Muniz.

Her survivors include; her daughter Joyce Romero and granddaughter Jenna Romero-Decker both of Milagro, her siblings: Roman (Dillie) Martinez of Albuquerque, Ely Madrid of San Ignacio, Johnny (Irene) Martinez of Cedar Hill, TX, Rudy (Martha) Madrid of Denver, CO, Jimmy (Marsha) Martinez of Albuquerque, NM, Rose (Arthur) Galvan of Princeton TX, Herman (Debbie) Martinez of Santa Rosa, NM and Ted (Angie) Martinez of Clovis, NM , her in-law’s: Joel(Bill) Johnson of Santa Rosa, NM, Leroy(Dolly) Bonney of Santa Rosa, NM, Solie Saiz of Roswell, NM and Will (Rhonda) Romero of Canyon, TX as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends.

Visitation for family and friends will take place on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, from 12-5PM at Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa.

Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary, followed by The Mass of Christian Burial, will be Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 10AM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, with Father Stephen Imbarrato officiating the service.

Burial will take place at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery in Milagro at 3PM with Arthur Martinez, Adam Madrid, Rick Espinosa, Ray Espinosa, Arthur "Tudy" Galvan and Rick Martinez serving as Pallbearers.  Honorary Pallbearers will include: Genaro Zitz and Abel Martinez.

Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435.  575-472-3369.  To place an online condolence or tribute, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.