In Loving Memory

Rebecca Romero BARELARebecca Romero Barela, 100, died Thursday, October 20, 2009 in Centralia, MO. She was a native of Le- doux, NM. Born Septem- ber, 21, 1909 to Marcelino and Guadalupe (Garcia) Romero, she spent most of her adult life in Cherry Creek, Ely, Winnemucca, Reno, and Las Vegas, NV. She was married to Joe Margarito Barela on December 29, 1937. He preceded her in death in 1996. Prior to marriage, she was a school teacher in Mora and Vadito, NM. While living in Reno, she was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Stead. She was a devout Catholic, and her life was centered around her faith in God and her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, five sisters, and one granddaughter, Emily Barela. Surviving are her four children; Celina Lea of Las Vegas, NV, Helen Hanson and husband, Lee of St. George, UT, Louis Barela and his wife Emilia of Los Angeles, CA, and Roger Barela and his wife Judy of Centralia, MO; 12 grandchildren; 20 great- grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. She is also survived by her brother- in-law, George Barela of Ely, NV and several nieces and nephews. Visitation is scheduled from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 25th at O'Brien, Rogers and Crosby Funeral Home, 600 W. 2nd Street, Reno, with Recitation of the Rosary at 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 26th at Our Mother of Sorrows Most Holy Redeemer Chapel, with burial to follow at the cemetery.

Memories of my Grandma are mostly from when I was little. We would visit them on their ranch. I would play play endlessly gathering up the kittens and making them endure being stuffed into a coffee can as I carted them all over and loved them to pieces.. I was highly allergic and every time we we were there I would be have the worst asthma attacks. Barely breathing kind of sick. I loved being there though. All my cousins were all 6 year and older or 6 years and more younger. I tended to play by myself on the farm absorbed myself in books. I remember the mean rooster that we were terrified by. My grandpa would have us carry a stick. My grandma was 61 years old when I was born. She grew most of their food. They would have fresh eggs, milk and meat raised from the farm. I remember having little tiny hairs on my bacon and to this day. My bacon must come from a package. She was one of the most hard working women I have every knew. She was a devout Catholic. I imagine it greatly hurt her when my dad joined the LDS Church. When we were younger we spent every holiday with the Barela Side of the family...We would have a long long table so we could all be together. I kind of miss those days. We have not been together like that since we were little. Her funeral is what brought us all back together. It was fun being together with my own kind. All of her kids, most grand kids and great kids were gathered together in loving memory of my Grandma. She was tiny but her love tied all the kids together. I keep thinking of her now with Grandpa, Emily and her parents and how happy she is to see them and it put a smile on my face. Until we see you again Grandma. I love you.