Ophelia G. Romero

Ophelia G. Romero passed away peacefully on June 14, 2016 in Albuquerque, NM.  Ophelia was born in Santa Fe, NM to Nestor & Loretita Gorman on November 5, 1917.  Her family was blessed to have her for 98 years prior to her passing.  Ophelia was an incredibly strong and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She was not shy about teaching her children and grandchildren life’s lessons. But also balanced her stern lessons with unconditional love and compassion.  

Ophelia was preceded in death by her beloved husband Arthur “Dinty” Romero, daughters Patricia and Stephanie and son Michael, sister and brother-in-law Rosina and Louis Kavanaugh, and her parents, Nestor & Loretita “Etta” Gorman.

Ophelia inspired her family and many others with her strength and commitment to helping others.  Ophelia was a long-time volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the St. Francis Altar Society. She was an incredible seamstress who made clothes and blankets for her children, grandchildren, and family friends.   Alongside her husband Dinty, Ophelia not only cared for their own children, they also devoted themselves to helping raise many of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

Ophelia is survived by her daughter, Thelma Hoessler (Ed) of Santa Fe; sons, Richard (Joanne) of Rio Rancho; Nestor of Albuquerque; granddaughter, Roberta Ortiz (Andrew) of Farmington whom she raised as a daughter from a very young age. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Loretta (Gogi) Cowan (Henry) of Austin TX, Monica Leyba (Jerry) of Upland CA, and Lisa Kerwin (Garrett) of Pasadena CA.  Grandsons, Greg Hoessler of Santa Fe, Michael Hoessler (Silvia) of Vista CA, RJ and Eric Romero of Rio Rancho NM; Quinn and Liam Romero of Albuquerque NM; and great-grandchildren Amanda Ortiz of Fort Worth TX; Alix Cowan, Riley Hoessler, River Cowan, and Noah and Avery Leyba.  She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-laws, Corrine of Las Vegas, Bobby of Chicago, Francis of Kenosha, WI, and Dora of San Leandro, CA and numerous nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, and cousins.  

A memorial mass will be held at 1pm Thursday, June 30th at Cristo Rey Catholic Church in Santa Fe, with interment to follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1088 Early St., Santa Fe, NM 87505.