Barbara "Lita" Maldonado

Our beloved Barbara "Lita" Romero Maldonado, age 88, went to be with our Heavenly Father on November 14, 2020 due to pancreatic cancer.  She was born in La Joya, New Mexico on the Sevilleta Land Grant to Juan Cristobal Romero and Josefita Otero Romero, also of La Joya. When she was about 10 years old, the family moved to Alamillo where she met her first husband, Ernest Armijo, who lived next door.  Around the age of 19, her family moved to Albuquerque about a block from Holy Family.  Barbara married Ernest at St. Anne's parish on January 19, 1952 because Holy Family was still a mission.

Devoted wife of Johnny Maldonado of Estancia, NM; mother of David Armijo; Michael Armijo; Edward Armijo and wife Lillian; and Ernestine Armijo-Peterson and her husband, Lance.  She was blessed with 11 grandchildren and almost 20 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren, all of whom were her pride and joy.  Beloved sister of Leo Romero, Virginia Woosley and her husband, Jasper; all iving in Albuquerque, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins living in Albuquerque  and around the San Acacio area.

Barbara has been a devoted member of Holy Family Church in Albuquerque and Saint Peter and Paul in Estancia. She joined the Altar and Rosary Society, taught CCD to many children at Holy Family Parish in Albuquerque, and lived Cursillo #13. Her devoted time for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spanned for at least Forty-Eight years total. She also served both parishes as Mayordomo for several terms. In 2008, Archbishop Michael J Shaheen bestowed the honor of the Archbishop's Saint Francis of Assisi Award at the Cathedral Basilica in Santa Fe, NM in 2008, for her dedication. Barbara also served as a military wife during the Vietnam Era and eventually losing her husband two years later due to exposure to something on active duty with the NM Air National Guard. Ernest was also a World War II vet.

Most people would say that she was a dependable and unbelievably strong woman who endured many hardships gracefully.

A visitation will be held in the Gabaldon Memorial Chapel on Monday, November 23, 2020 at 5:00p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Rites services will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 9:00a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church 562 Atrisco Dr. S.W. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery 1900 Edith Blvd NE. Due to COVID-19 mandates the  Rosary is restricted to only the immediate family can attend in person. Extended family and friends can pray the rosary and virtually gather with the family beginning at 5:50pm on Monday, November 23, 2020. Please click the link below to virtually gather with the family:

https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=160581872086461