Consuelo C. Romero

Consuelo Connie Cruces Romero, 96, of Fort Collins, Colorado passed away Friday, June 20, 2014. She was born April 10, 1918 in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico to Antonio and Ramona Rodriguez Cruces. Consuelo attended a school taught by nuns until the Cristero civil war put an end to her formal schooling. Consuelo's mom went to the United States to seek and join her husband. Consuelo, age 3, was left behind with an elderly aunt. When her aunt died, Consuelo began to seek her parents and left Mexico to join them at the age of 17. She crossed into Laredo, Texas and boarded a train to Cheyenne, Wyoming in January. She wore sandals and a dress. In Cheyenne, a kind lady took interest in this young woman traveling alone and using gestures indicated how cold it was and found her a warm coat and shoes. Consuelo joined her family until she married Joe Romero in 1938 and moved to Sunrise, Wyoming. When her husband died in 1959, Connie was left to raise her four sons the eldest was 13 and two daughters. Upon her husband's death, she had a good friend, Ruth Combs, who taught her how to drive and soon after Connie moved to Torrington, Wyoming with her children. She worked for the priests there washing the church mantles, etc. She also worked for the extension department and taught young women how to cook healthy meals for their children and how to manage their finances. She raised her children and took pride that they all had either a college education or a trade. Connie was a very intelligent woman who taught herself how to speak English. She took great pride in becoming a U.S. citizen on August 16, 1961 and never failed to vote thereafter. She later moved to Fort Collins and worked for many years for the priests at St. Joseph's Catholic Church as a cook and housekeeper until she retired. After retiring, she worked as a foster grandmother until the age of 90. She then enjoyed her time visiting with her family and friends and raising beautiful flowers. Consuelo was extremely talented and skillful with many interests. While living in Sunrise, she spent many hours crocheting with Nikola Costopoulos, a friend who spoke only Greek and Connie spoke only Spanish, yet they communicated despite their language barriers. She made delicious lemon pies and her cream puffs were known to be the best anyone ever tasted. She enjoyed reading and traveling, especially if she was going to see her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed company and always made sure that you did not leave hungry. Consuelo had an adventurous soul and was a very brave, honest and strong woman. She had many hardships in her life and a strong faith to sustain her through life's journeys. Survivors include four sons: Joe Louie Romero and Shirley Rodgers of Gering, Nebraska, Enrique Romero and wife, Delia of Lafayette, Colorado, Ramiro Romero and wife, Norma of Wellington, Colorado, Leo Romero and wife, Patricia of Fort Collins, Colorado; two daughters, Carmen Whitehead and husband, Brady of Green River, Wyoming and Rachel Romero of Rifle, Colorado; one brother, Louie Cruces and wife, Angela of Hesperia, California; 19 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Consuelo was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Romero; her parents, Antonio and Ramona Cruces; a brother, Roland Cruces; two sisters, Ursula Cruces and Mary Martinez; and a daughter, Belen Flores. A Rosary will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Friday at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery.