Obituaries (Sept. 3)

Jacobo “Jake” L. Armijo

1944-2020

Jacobo “Jake” L. Armijo, age 76, a resident of Belen, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020.

He was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, and past member of the Knights of Columbus and Elks Lodge. Jacobo was also an usher with Our Lady of Belen, and a member of St. Mary’s parish council. He retired from BNSF Railway after 35 years.

Jacobo took pride in washing his vehicles, mowing his lawn and loved the fact that he had the best-groomed yard on his block. Jake, Sand and Rocky enjoyed many years of camping in New Mexico and Colorado. He adored his children and grandchildren; they were the light of his life.

Jake is preceded in death by his parents, Jacobo and Matiana Armijo; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Otoniel and Ernestina Sanchez; brother, Daniel Armijo; nephew, Quin Sanchez; and brother-in-law, Michael Sanchez.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sandra L. Armijo; his four children and their spouses, Denise and Chris Jaramillo, Jacob and Cassaundra Armijo, Aaron and Diane Armijo and Theresa and Randy Sanchez; grandchildren, Andre and Jordan Jaramillo, Jacob Alan, Patrick and Matthew Armijo, Adam and Dylan Armijo and Heather (Alex) Werder and Coy Sanchez; brothers-in-law, Raynaldo Sanchez, Carlos (Lydia) Sanchez and Andrew Sanchez. Jake is also survived by his special little, four-legged boy, “Rocky.”

Services were held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Saturday, Aug. 29. Interment followed at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers were Jake’s grandsons, Andre, Jacob Alan, Patrick, Matthew, Adam, Dylan and Coy. Honorary pallbearers were Daniel Archuleta and Terry Hunter.

A very special thank you to Rachael at Good Life Senior Living for Jake’s care.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

Carmela Romero

1943-2020

Carmela Romero, age 77, passed away peacefully at her home on Aug. 27, 2020.

She retired from Central New Mexico Correctional Facility and treasured the many friendships she made there. Carmela enjoyed spending time with her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She especially loved to cook for them. In her spare time, Carmella enjoyed spending time at the casino and caring for her pets.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alberto and Albertina (Chavez) Sanchez; son, Gilbert Romero; and brother-in-law, Tony Padilla.

Carmela is survived by her sons, Phillip (Renee) and Paul (Jacque); daughter, Diana; sister, Florella; daughter-in-law, Cyndi Driscoll; 11 grandchildren, Tifany (Pecos), Armanda, Justin (Jaime), Travis, Dylan, Ryan, Nicholas (Noellah), Shawn, Oralio, Darren and Kyle; two great-grandchilden, Lane and Kade; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank Armada Hospice and nurse, Catherine; Mickey Sanchez, for the very special rosary; Jerry and Liz Baca for the heartfelt blessing and everyone who participated in her care. A special thank you to Tina, Shirley, Catherine, Paula, Noellah, Nick and Tiffany, and another special thank you to Adela and Chris Lucero and family for loving and caring for our mom.

A graveside service will take place at 9 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 3, at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. Urn bearers will be Chris and Adela Lucero and Floria Padilla, followed by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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

Olivia T. Romero

1954-2020

Olivia T. Romero, age 65, a resident of Albuquerque, and a 1972 graduate of Belen High School, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020.

She was a free, loving spirit, who lived life to the fullest. Family was everything to her and her daughters, Avery and Jordan, and her grandchildren, Aaron, Derek and Abby, were not only the apple of her eyes, but they were the sunshine of her soul. Olivia was there every step of the way helping to raise her grandchildren and she meant everything to them.

She became her mother and dear friend, Barbara H. Romero’s caregiver, who turned 90 in March 2020. Olivia was there for her mom for many years even after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As a loving sister to Ben and Annabelle, Dicky and Suzanne, Nick, and Juliane Romero (who was her baby sister and one of her best friends). She was always happy when they could all be together for any occasion.

Because of her beautiful voice, Olivia was selected to N.M. Allstate Choir her junior and senior year for the Belen Eagle Choir. She went on to perform for several singing groups throughout Albuquerque, most notably the well-known “Enchanters.”

Olivia graduated from UNM with a master’s degree in human resources. She had a great passion for writing, which led her to be hired by well-known videographer Tony Jones, with whom she worked with for several years until his passing in 2011. He was a loving and caring human being, who became one of Olivia’s best friends. Like Olivia’s daughter, Jordan, always said, “He was the father I never had.”

She went on to author and publish her book, “Same Old Truth,” which was about her growing up and working in the family funeral business. Olivia had several writing projects that will now be left unfinished.

Her father, Arno Romero, with whom she had a very special bond with, passed away in 1983. She is also survived by her loving nieces and nephews. Olivia’s wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Her family would like to give their love and gratitude to her daughter, Jordan, who was her loving caregiver for the last seven years and was always there for her no matter what, through thick and thin. The family would also like to give a heartfelt thank you to Michelle and Veronica of Legacy Hospice for becoming a part of Olivia’s family during this most difficult time.

Olivia’s family requests that donations be made in her name to National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, PO Box 1848 Longmont, Colo., 80502.

That laugh Olivia, that distinctive laugh that you shared with everyone you met, will never be forgotten.

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

Pamela Clarissa Romero

1964-2020

Pamela Clarissa Romero, age 55, a resident of Belen, passed away Aug. 25, 2020.

She had a heart of gold, and loved to help others. Pamela would often buy groceries and would just keep a little for herself and would give the rest away to anyone she ran into that was in need. She was very generous and would give candy away to kids.

Pamela loved her community so much, and daily you could find her walking up and down the streets of Belen. She loved being a mom to her children, and will be greatly missed.

Pamela is preceded in death by her son, Jeremiah Romero.

She was survived by her son, Willie Romero (Alisha Montano); daughter, Roxanne Romero (Hossy); Amanda Sena (Angelo); grandchildren, Angelo Jr., Lucas, Josiah, Willie David, EJ, Genesis and Bellamy; father of her children, Phillip Romero; four brothers, one sister and many loving nieces, nephews and friends in Belen.

There was a graveside service Monday, Aug. 31, at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

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

Robert Eugene Whitis

1935-2020

Robert Eugene Whitis passed away at BeeHive Homes of Bosque Farms on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020.

Robert was born in Dayton, Ohio, to Carl Eugene and Grace Hope Whitis on Feb. 21, 1935. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1953. He graduated from McMurry College in Abilene, Texas, in 1957, and from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., in 1960.

Robert met Nelda F. Dunn at McMurry College, and they married in August 1959. Rev. Whitis served as a United Methodist minister for more than 42 years, including appointments to Belen First United Methodist Church from 1971-1978 and Christ United Methodist Church in Albuquerque from 1978-1983. He retired in 1999, and he and Nelda moved back to Belen (Rio Communities).

He is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nelda; sons, Michael (Jane) Whitis, of Lewisville, Texas, and Douglas (Katherine) Whitis, of Crossroads, Texas; daughter, Anne Whitis, of Chinle, Ariz.; sister, Marjory (Joe) Conner, of Rio Communities; three grandchildren and one step-granddaughter, all in Texas.

In retirement, Robert volunteered for several years with Crossings Prison Ministries at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility. Pastor Bob loved singing in the church choir and interacting with kids.

He and Nelda were supported by a wonderful body of friends and family who exemplified what it meant to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. We rejoice that he is now home and whole on the other side with our Lord.

Friends and family will have the chance to celebrate Bob’s life down the road when circumstances permit. For those who would like to send memorials, the family suggests donations may be given to the “Music Program” at Belen First United Methodist Church, 75 Manzano Expressway, Rio Communities, N.M., 87002; or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.