Zoila Matamorez

Zoila Matamorez, 69, a Santa Fe native and longtime Albuquerque resident, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on Thursday, September 19, 2024, after a long illness. Zoila was a vivacious, compassionate and loving person. She was married to Ernest Matamorez for 47 years. The loving couple had two sons, Ernest Jr. and Jonathan. The family also had a beloved friend, Dr. Kavita Rajasekhar, who graciously helped the family attend to Zoila during her illness and final days. Zoila was born in Santa Fe on August 13, 1955, the ninth child of Jose Arsenio "Archie" Romero and Josie Whittington Romero, and her childhood years were spent at their home in the Village of Agua Fria in the little adobe house next to the brick castle her father was building on the property. Her teen and adult years were spent in Albuquerque. She graduated from West Mesa High School in 1973 and worked for many years at the Amity leather company. She later received her medical assistant certificate from PIMA and for 20 years, until retirement, Zoila served as a tireless child advocate at Young Children's Health Center and later cared for employees of the University of New Mexico as Supervisor of Medical Records at Employee Occupational Health Services (EOHS). She was known to go the extra mile to make sure every UNM team member felt heard and respected. Zoila had six sisters and five brothers. She was preceded in death by her parents and her eldest brother, Archie Romero. She is survived by siblings Annette Nigh, Bernadette Baca, Leroy Romero (Berlinda), Alfred Romero, Filo Mena Lopez (Ralph), Kathy Wujick, Elizabeth Suazo, Gus Romero, Julius Romero and Sylvia Herrera (Daniel). She is also survived by dozens of nieces, nephews, and Godchildren. Zoila was happiest when she was cooking for her husband and boys, especially for special holidays and Sunday family dinners. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, and she enjoyed every step of decorating her home. She also liked to travel, especially her visits to Hawaii, and she recently enjoyed taking a train ride with Ernie along the West Coast from California to Washington. The family is thankful for all the expressions of love for Zoila from her many friends and relatives. Visitation will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024 in The Gabaldon Memorial Chapel 1000 Old Coors. Blvd SW with a Rosary to be recited by Lita Pino at 7:00 p.m.  Final visitation will be Friday, October 11, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church 5415 Fortuna Rd NW with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow the Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery 1900 Edith Blvd. NE. In lieu of flowers, to celebrate the life of Zoila Matamorez, the family suggests sending memorial donations to the University of New Mexico's Comprehensive Cancer Center's General Support Fund. Gifts can be made - noting in memory of Zoila Matamorez-online at:

https://www.unmfund.org/s/1959/lg22/form.aspx?sid=1959&gid=2&pgid=717&cid=2184 

or by check payable to UNM Foundation sent to UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, Development Office, MSCO7 4025, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001.