Obituaries

Ramona Olguin Baca

1926-2019

Ramona Olguin Baca, age 93, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, at her home in Belen, surrounded by her family.

She was born Feb. 2, 1926, in Jarales, to Fernandez and Doloritas Olguin. Ramona grew up in Jarales. She left high school at the age of 15 to work and take care of her younger siblings after her mother passed away. Years later, she went back to get her GED to show her children how important an education was.

Ramona married Eloy in 1951 in Belen. They were happily married for 44 years. She was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church and was very involved as a volunteer with Saint Vincent de Paul for more than 30 years.

Ramona also belonged to the County Extension Club, where she found her love for sewing, crocheting and knitting. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, praying the rosary and spending time with her family. Ramona enjoyed spending time in her yard and tending to her flowers, especially her rose bushes and her “Autumn Joy” plants or better known as Grandma Baca’s plant.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eloy; parents, Fernandez and Doloritas Olguin; siblings, Annie, Albieta, Carmen Polly, Nila, Vicente, Mary and Emily; in-laws, Josefita Marquez Baca and Luis Baca; and sisters-in-law, Dolores Moser, Jeannie Deal, Trina Sanchez and Libby Davila.

Ramona is survived by her children, Deborah Baca, Jerry (Phyllis) Baca, Karen (Ronald) Marquez, Lisa (Chris) Baca-Hoffman and Dolores Garcia; her grandchildren, Michael (Josephine) Baca, Valerie (Matt) Myers, Diane, Rose and Roni Marquez and Kevin Garcia; her great-grandchildren, James and Sophia Myers, and Marcos and Luis Baca; sister, Gertrude Locey; brother-in-law, Karl Nigg; and her loving nieces, nephews and numerous other relatives.

Services will take place at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Thursday, Jan. 2, with a visitation from 5-6 p.m., and a Rosary to be recited at 6 p.m. A visitation will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 3, and a Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m.. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers are her grandchildren, Michael Baca, Valerie Baca Myers, Diane Marquez, Rose Marquez, Roni Marquez and Kevin Garcia.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Al Padilla for continuously doing her hair for 62 years. Also, thank you to Ambercare for your services.

Please sign Ramona’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Camille Elizabeth Chavez

1960-2019

Camille Elizabeth Chavez, age 59, resident of Los Lunas, lived a life devoted to God and family passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019.

She was born to Avilio “Lefty” and Edna Otero. She loved and served her family and husband of 40 years before losing her six-year battle with cancer.

Camille loved spending time with her mother, children and grandchildren; and recently became a great-grandmother. She was known for her kind and gentle spirit and had a heart of gold. She was a member of Grace Fellowship in Los Lunas.

The family would like to thank the nurses at UNM Cancer Center, who took such great care of her.

Camille was preceded in death by her father, Avilio “Lefty” Otero; brother, Marvin Otero; and mother-in-law, Fela Chavez.

She is survived by her mother, Edna Cordova Otero; husband, Leroy J. Chavez; daughter, Lyndsi Chavez; son, Jason Chavez and wife, Vanessa Chavez; granddaughters, Eliyah Perales and husband, Zachary Perales, and Eliana Alderete; grandsons, Israel Alderete, Judah Chavez and Theodore Chavez; great-grandson, Ezekiel Perales; sister, Teresa Ogas and husband, Mike; and brother, Marty Otero and wife, Valerie.

Services will be held at Grace Fellowship in Los Lunas on Saturday, Jan. 4. A visitation will begin at 9 a.m., with a funeral service to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Terrace Grove Cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Israel Alderete, Elijah Padilla, Paul Padilla, Josiah Chavez, Dalton Otero, Velodia Malanyak; and honorary pallbearer will be Judah Chavez.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the UNM Cancer Center.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas Chapel, 2211-D Main St., 866-9992.

Filomena B. Otero

1928-2019

Filomena B. Otero joined our Lord and Savior surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019.

She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Filomena was a member of the OLOG Alter Society for 67 years, and a dedicated member of the Blue Army and Legion of Mary for many years.

She grew up on the family farm in Adelino, and was a graduate of Belen High School. She met the love of her life, Jose Otero, and she and Jose raised their six children in Peralta. Filomena and Jose were founders of Joe’s Pharmacy in Peralta, which to this day is run by their son, Leon.

She was a very loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family was of the utmost importance to her. Also, friends and community knew her as a very elegant and spiritual person, and she was devoted to her prayers for everyone. Her kindness and generosity was wide spread and she was truly loved by family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose Otero, who passed away on Nov. 7, 2019; daughter, Patricia Yolanda; great-grandsons, Michael Ray Montiel and Tristan James Chavez; parents, Manuel Atocha Baca and Leocardia Sanchez Baca; her seven siblings, Edwin, Berry, Gladio (Consuelo), Doroteo (Carmen), Crisanta Padilla (Placido), Ramon Baca, who was killed in action during World War II, Max (Theresa), and brother-in law, Eduardo Otero.

Filomena is survived by her five loving and devoted children, Leon (Joan), Katalina Otero, Ana Otero, Maria Otero and Mark; 13 loving grandchildren, Andrea Otero, Jose (Veronica) Otero, Manuel (Jade) Otero, Antonio (Julia) Otero, Monica Otero (Joseph), Raquel (David) Waters, Claudio (Sara) Chavez, Juan (Lorena) Chavez, Andres (Loren) Chavez, Olivia Montoya, Ross Otero, Sabine Otero and Patricia (Victor) Otero; sisters in-law, Peggy, and Pricilla Otero, Juanita Sanchez, and Assunta Berry; 25 great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A viewing was held on Sunday, Dec. 29, at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Peralta, and a final viewing and Funeral Mass were held on Monday, Dec. 30. Interment followed at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jose, Manuel, Antonio, Ross and Joseph Otero, Juan and Andres Chavez, and David Waters.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Presbyterian Hospice, Father Emmanuel Izuka for his loving spiritual leadership, and Father Jose Hernandez for presiding over Filomena’s life celebration. Also a very special thank you to the Legion of Mary for being her loving sisters in the Lord.

Please sign Filomena’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Zita Paul

1932-2019

Zita A. Paul, of Belen, died on Monday, Dec. 23, 2019.

She was born in Columbus, Neb., but lived in New Mexico for more than 40 years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, David G. Paul, and her daughter, Amy Valdez.

She is survived by her children, David Paul Jr., Daniel Paul, Chris Davidson, Mindy Greenspan, Pam Blondin and Jerry Paul; her 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; her brother, Lawrence Sanders; and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Sanders and Marilyn Beal.

Zita was a wonderful wife and mother, a loving grandmother and great-grandmother, an excellent nurse and a sweet, hilarious lady.

Arrangements entrusted to Noblin Funeral Service in Belen. At the request of the family, all services are private.