Dolores Mitchell, age 70, passed away suddenly on Monday, August 5, 2019 at her home in Maxwell, New Mexico where she had resided since November 1997. She had lived in Raton prior to that. Her parents, Tony and Mollie Martinez, from Roy, New Mexico had seven children: Rose, Tony Jr., Dolores, Priscilla, Louie, Julia, and Sandra. She was born on July 21, 1949 on the family ranch in Roy, New Mexico and graduated from Roy High School in 1967. She married Joseph Romero in January 1968 in Roy. Out of this union were born two sons, Patrick and Nathan.
Patrick, her son from Albuquerque survives her. Her husband, Joseph, age 37, and son, Nathan, age 9, preceded Dolores in death.They both drowned at Eagle Nest Dam on May 5, 1984.
In addition, she had three grandchildren: Christopher Romero (Tucumcari, New Mexico), Harley and Shelby Romero from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
She remarried Anthony Mitchell in the summer of 1987 and raised his three children.
In addition, surviving her are three stepchildren; Eric Mitchell, (Jessica) and children; Tobias, Jaxon, and Lincoln from Phoenix, Arizona. Shawn Mitchell (Taunya); and children, Thomas and Shyann, from Maxwell, New Mexico; and Tiana Mitchell from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Surviving her are four siblings: Rose Kirkland and son, George (Shannon), Peyton, and Paxton, Lubbock, Texas; Tony Martinez, Jr. (Kathy) from Roy; T. J., Leslie, and Jack; Julia Cook (Dewey) son, Brendon, from Ponca City, Oklahoma; and Sandra DeLaho from Roy, as well as her children, Samantha and Dustin.
In addition, preceding her in death was her brother, Louie, age twelve who died instantly by a horse on the Martinez Ranch on August 5, 1966. Incidentally, Dolores passed away on the same day!
She had also lost her Mother, Mollie Martinez, on January 1, 1985, at age 55, due to exposure of the elements in Roy, New Mexico. Her sister, Priscilla Shripka, had also drowned in Modesto, California on March 4, 1996. Then, her Daddy, Tony Martinez, died on October 6, 2010 at the Raton Nursing and Rehabilitation Home in Raton, New Mexico.
Dolores loved her grandchildren. They called her “Grandma D”. Their memories of her were that she would encourage them to go to college in order to reach their full potential. She would “love the babies” and give them hugs and kisses. Dolores was very loving, encouraging, and positive with her family. She was very out-going and friendly; therefore, people were attracted to her. She always had a smile on her face although she may have been grieving many losses herself.
However, her son, Patrick, recalls that she was very good at “Cracking the Whip” and using her words to get after him. Her sister, Rose, says that Dolores’ idea of a very good, wonderful, fantastic, phenomenal weekend was to spend her time in the kitchen “Baking”. She had a huge kitchen with every single kitchen appliance and gadget available. She was a fantastic cook and always had food and desserts when you arrived at her home.
Some family members experienced her as being very stubborn and resistant to change, which is indicative of sibling relationships. Dolores was very active in her church and never failed to be there every Sunday. She was so considerate that she always called people, in times of loss, and took food to the families in her communities. She had also worked in several places throughout her lifetime as well as her business, (D & A Pub) in Maxwell).
Leaving behind are many cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and acquaintances.
Pallbearers will be Christopher Romero, Eric Mitchell, Shawn Mitchell, Thomas Mitchell, George Kirkland, and Brendon Cook.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Tony Martinez, Jr., T. J. Martinez, Jack Martinez, Dustin DeLaho, Landon Floyd, and Casey Pierce.
Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be Friday, August 16, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph’s Church, Raton, NM followed by the Solemn Mass of the Resurrection at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Bill Woytavich as the Celebrant. Rite of Committal and Internment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Joseph and son, Nathan.
A luncheon will follow immediately at St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Parish Hall. All family and friends are encouraged to attend.
Funeral arrangements for Dolores Mitchell are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.
My sincere condolences to Dolores’ family. She was so good to me and my mother the five years I spent in Maxwell. She was always so thoughtful to bring mom fresh baked sweets, and she was a very supportive and kind neighbor to me. We shared many conversations and I so regret that she was unable to fulfill her wish to really enjoy her retirement and see new sights. But, she is now enjoying the fullness of God’s love and will no longer suffer from earthly challenges and that is a good thing. I considered her a friend and I will miss our chats. May the Lord be the source of your comfort and strength in this time of grief! God Bless!
Sister Ernestine Trujillo, sscj