ROMERO, Kate

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Friday, February 04, 2011 Kate Romero, 84, of Flagstaff, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, at the Olivia White Hospice Home following an extended battle with Parkinson's disease. She was born April 30, 1926, in Polvadera, N.M., one of five siblings raised on a productive farm in central New Mexico. She arrived in Flagstaff with her husband and two children in 1951. For decades, she worked in a dual-career role as homemaker and in the retail field. She retired from J.C. Penney Co. in 1988 and was also a longtime employee of Babbitt Brothers Trading Company. During World War II, Mrs. Romero served her country in true "Rosie the Riveter" fashion in an aircraft production factory in Los Angeles. Mrs. Romero was a kind, caring person who always placed family and friends first. She was active in the Flagstaff Catholic community, serving for years as a member of the Bereavement Committee of San Francisco de Asis Parish. Mrs. Romero is survived by her son, Manny (Judith) of Sedona; daughter Cathy Spitzer (Paul) of Flagstaff; three grandchildren; sister Nadine Bell of Mora, N.M.; brothers Benny (Alice) Chavez of Belen, N.M., and Jerry (Jane) Chavez of Uvalde, Texas; sister-in-law Lola Chavez of Socorro, N.M.; several nieces and nephews; and friends old and new. She was preceded in death by brother Adolfo Chavez of Socorro, N.M.; and her husband of 64 years, George Romero. A holy rosary will be recited Sunday at 7 p.m. at Norvel Owens Mortuary Chapel, 914 E. Route 66 in Flagstaff. Celebration of the Mass of Resurrection will be held Monday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m., at San Francisco de Asís Parish, St. Pius X Chapel, 2257 E. Cedar Ave., followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Olivia White Hospice House, P.O. Box 997, Flagstaff, AZ 86002. Condolences can be sent online at www.norvelowensmortuary.com. Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling the arrangements.