Maria A. Romero

March 14, 1927 – May 17, 2012

On May 17, 2012, our beloved Queen received her crown in heaven. She was a cherished mother, nana, sister, aunt and friend who will be missed by all who loved her. She loved the Lord and was his faithful servant throughout her life. Her kind and gentle spirit touched the hearts of everyone she met, and her words of love, peace, forgiveness and compassion will be remembered forever. Her smile, laughter and light- heartedness would fill a room and every person who came in contact with her walked away with a gift of a brighter day.

Maria (loving known as Aidita) was born on March 14, 1927 in Douglas, Arizona to Francisco and Teresa Romero. She was preceded in death by six of her eight siblings: Ramona, Isabel (Chavela), Francisco (Pancho), Manuel (Nel) and Nicolas. She is survived by her brother Santos Romero (Rosita) and her beloved sister and best friend, Magdalena Quiñonez (Pete).

She was married to Thomas Romero. Together they had 14 children: Edgardo Romero, Maria Martinez (Fred Campa), Sylvia Miranda (Steve), Tom Romero, Manuel Romero, Robert Romero, Cesar Romero (Kim), Alicia Romero (Mike), Richard Romero (Shirley), Frank Romero, Dolores Hollen (Warren), Teresa Romero, Sandra Jimenez (Martin) and Andrew Romero (Marina).

Her pride and joy were her 52 grandchildren. Maria (Aidita), Maggie, Irma, Eddie, Jr. and Bernice; Belinda; John, Dario and Stephanie; Steve, Patrick and Jessica; Norma, Yvette, Manuel II, and Samuel; Bobby Jr., Michael, Sara, Melissa, Johnny, Richard, Andrea and Maggie; Gina, Renae, Julie, Natalie and Greg; Michele, Michael and Adam; Matthew; Francis and Erik; Alex and Monique; Teresa (Reese), Matthew Jr., Carina and Marshall; Christina, Vanessa, Alysia and Martin, Jr.; Audrianna, Sabrina, Andrew,

Mariah, Kiana and Elijah, AND her 80 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

She is also survived by nieces Cecilia Barrios and Panchita Sanchez, and many other nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, and by her adopted son Paul and his wife Susan. Others who came to know and love her as their mother include Carlotta, Elva, Mary, Susana, Anna, Kathy, Julie, Shelly, Gloria, Michael Sr. and Matthew Sr.

Maria retired from Good Samaritan Medical Center where she worked for 11 years. After she retired, she was actively involved in the McDowell Senior Center where she had many dear friends. She was a Senior Ambassador at the Center and participated in the ballet folklorico group. She enjoyed traveling, music, dancing, singing, bead work, cooking, spending time with her friends and watching Mexican novelas, American soap operas and The Price is Right. She also loved crocheting baby blankets for her new grandchildren and shopping (mostly for shoes) and for gifts for her grandchildren. Her love for music comes from her parents and siblings; a love that will continue through the talents of her children and grandchildren.

Maria had an incredible memory. She remembered everything from birthdays to phone numbers to the ages of every one of her children and grandchildren. She was present for every birthday, every graduation, every wedding, everything birth…everything. Not only was she there but she sang and danced and made everyone love her more and more by the second. The sound of her voice could make everything better. No matter how much was going on in life, she was always the one thing her family and friends could count on.

Maria’s world was her family. She created beautiful memories and traditions that have kept the five generations of her family close. Her greatest success was being an example of God’s love.

She will live on in the hearts of all of those she touched. She is watching over us as God is holding her in his arms. She has always been our angel and we know we will see her again one day.