Romelia M. Enriquez

Romelia Mendoza Enriquez, lovingly called "Tita", of Las Cruces, NM was called home to the Lord on June 18, 2016 after a lengthy illness. Romelia was born in La Union, NM to Angela Mendoza and Jose Borunda Enriquez on September 5, 1932. She was the eldest of the siblings, and was a loving sister to her four brothers. She had two sisters who died as very young children. During her childhood, she attended elementary school in La Union before the family moved to Las Cruces, NM. Romelia never married, choosing instead to dedicate her life to the ministry of others. She devoted her life to helping everyone she knew who needed it. After high school, she moved to O'fallen, Mo with the Order of Sisters of Most Precious Blood and became a nun for the Catholic Church. Though she eventually left the sisterhood, her commitment to helping others and her passion for her faith remained. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Romelia graduated from Las Cruces High school and later from New Mexico A&M College, now New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and English. The University of Florida in Gainesville conferred her Masters in Spanish and Education. Later, she attended St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri before she returned to New Mexico to work on her Doctorate in Educational Management and Development. She continued her studies through the University of the Americas in Mexico City, University of Notre Dame, South Bend Indiana, and University of Colorado. As a student, she was inducted into an Honorary Education Fraternity- Phi Delta Kappa, an Honorary Spanish Society-Sigma Delta Pi, and an Honorary Arts and Sciences scholarship-based fraternity- Alpha Mu Tau. Romelia was inspired to become an educator. Over the course of her career, her generous nature and genuine heart made her a favorite with both students and colleagues. Her professional career as an educator ranged from elementary to the university graduate level. Over the years, Romelia taught at Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary in Las Cruces, NM, Holy Family Elementary in St. Louis, MO., Gadsden Middle School in Anthony, NM, and became a professor at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. She was also an educator for International Programs at NMSU. She instructed at the New Mexico State University Center for Intensive training in English, and for El Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. Due to her vast experience and knowledge, Ms. Enriquez achieved the status of Master Teacher. Ms. Enriquez's administrative experience included acting as Department Head of Foreign Language at Bishop DuBourg High School, St. Louis, Mo., and Acting Coordinator at the Arts & Sciences Advising Center at New Mexico State University. Romelia's professional affiliations were: Teachers of English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL); National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), and the international organization Alianza de Mesas Redondas Panamericanas, where as a member she served on several committees as chair and then as Director. Her philanthropic work was not always done through formal organizations, but was often very personal, and very quietly undertaken. While Romelia built her career, she still always made time to stay involved with the Catholic Church. Over the years she has served the church in many capacities, teaching, translating, performing administrative duties, and helping with outreach efforts. She volunteered her services for more than 30 years to the Arch Diocese of Las Cruces where she taught all levels of Religious instruction. Most recently, she oversaw the recruitment of new members. She also implemented the process required for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). This is the process of faith formation for unbaptized adults and children of catechetical age who wish to become members of the Catholic Church. She was very knowledgeable not only of her religion, but also of Canon Law. She is survived by four brothers: Armando (Joan), Eduardo, Diego, Henry (Linda); eight nieces: Maryellen, Christina, Lourdes, Henrietta, Melinda, Marisol, Angelica; four nephews: Joseph, David, Michael and Mario. Other Survivors include many grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by both parents, and two sisters Yolanda and Alma. Services will be held at St. Genevieve Catholic Church on Wednesday, June 29th. Memorial Service, rosary and funeral mass will begin at 9:00am. Mass will be officiated by Father Rogelio Martinez, assisted by Father Juan Moreno. The internment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. The urn bearers will be Romelia's brothers, Armando and Diego Enriquez. The Family invites all of her family, friends and colleagues to St. Genevieve Parish Hall for Nourishment of the Body and Soul immediately after the internment.The services are entrusted to Getz Funeral Home, to sign the online register book and leave online condolences please go to www.getzcares.com. PDF Printable Version