Rose Quintero

Rose Lucille Quintero passed away peacefully on Valentine’s Day, 2021. She was 83 years old and surrounded by family.

Rose was the fourth of five children born to Esperanza and Estella Rodriguez in rural Chama, Colorado. From an early age, her joys were her faith, family, and friends. Growing up, she, along with her brothers Alonzo, Paul, and Dale, and sister Elva, lived the country life, helping around the house, feeding livestock, and driving around town. A trip to the post office on weekends, one of Chama’s few local establishments, was a treat. She graduated from Sisters of Mercy High School, a Catholic school in the nearby town of San Luis. Rose loved music and dancing and took tap dance lessons as a little girl.

Family ultimately drew Rose to Albuquerque, where her father had accepted a position at the Armory, a venue for hosting large entertainers and events, including Elvis Presley. Rose and her family split their time between the two states over the next couple of years. It was in Albuquerque where she grew a family of her own. She married Ramon Quintero and the two shared three children, Linda, Ray, and Liz, who all still reside here. Rose worked for the City of Albuquerque, where she served in various administrative capacities. A devout Catholic, she attended Sunday mass without fail, with her mother attached at her hip until her death in 1996 and on TV through the pandemic, and also prayed the rosary every day at home. Still, she maintained close relationships with those in Colorado, especially her cousins Pauline and Esther, who she considered sisters.

It was Rose’s nature to care for others, and was instrumental in raising three of her grandchildren, Chris, Natalie and Alicia, who lived with her as children. Those who knew her best will remember her fabulous sense of humor, her large family gatherings, and the familiar click of her high heels, which she donned well into her 80’s (She introduced wedges to her wardrobe in 2019). She will be sorely missed by her surviving relatives, including her three children, her cousins Pauline and Esther Atencio, sisters-in-law Margie and Joann Rodriguez, as well as several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was also close to Ms. Linda Riggs, a woman who was both a dear friend and caretaker.

Rose ultimately died from congestive heart failure and will always be remembered for her good heart, despite passing from a bad one.

A socially distanced rosary and mass will be held on Friday, February 26, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Therese Church (3424 4th St. NW). Pallbearers for the services will be Ray Quintero, Chris Gutierrez, Orlando Dow, Luis Carrillo, Noah Carrillo, and Reed Macy. A burial at Mt. Calvary will take place immediately afterwards. Due to the pandemic, a celebration of Rose’s life will not take place until it is socially safe.