In Loving Memory of  Joann Gomez’s

  Joann Gomez’s Story

January 26, 1952 – September 23, 2022

I, Joann, want to share my life story with you. When my mom was giving birth to me, she was unconscious. I was not only a breech baby but a premature baby. When the doctor went to hand me to the nurse, I slipped from their hands. I fell to the concrete floor damaging my brain. The doctor told the nurse not to tell anyone what happened to me. It was a year later that my mom and dad (John Andy and Lucille Gomez, deceased) took me to a doctor in Denver and found out what happened to me. i was also diagnosed with cerebral palsy They could have sued the doctor, but my parents were only concerned with helping me to survive. You see, the doctor told my parents that I had only 10 years to live because of my damaged brain. Guess what? I lived to be 70 years and 9 months old! Do you know why? Because my mommy prayed for me to live beyond the 10 years. The Lord heard her prayer!

Not only did I have two loving parents, but I had lots of siblings: Norma (Andrew) Bernal; John, deceased (Alice) Gomez; Veronica Sandoval; Fidelia (Rudy) Muniz; Phyllis (Terry) Walsh; Adolph (Cindy) Gomez and Carol (Chris) Duran. How they loved me, played with me, and made me laugh! They called me “their angel”. I also have numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, and nieces.

I have so many wonderful memories with them. I’ll share just a couple of memories with you. One time when I was outside with my siblings, I decided to take a walk around the block. Yes, I used to walk. Boy, did my siblings get in trouble! They looked everywhere for me. They found me over by the neighbor’s house. One of my favorite things to do was dance and sing. Daddy always had the music on so I danced and danced. My siblings loved it! I have so many memories of camping trips, Christmas (I was Mary in our Christmas plays), Thanksgiving, my mom taking me for a walk, and much more! I knew that I was loved, cared for, and so protected by them. Did you know that I went to school for a few years? It was called the Alta Vista school. I met so many people there. One friend that I had was Kimmie Mincic.

But as my mommy was getting older, she needed help in taking care of me. It was at this time that I met Linda Barrientos (caregiver for 23 years). She was so kind to me. I felt safe around her. I felt loved by her. When my mommy passed away, I lived in a group home where I met Janell Mestas (caregiver 7 years) who was so kind and gentle with me. Linda came to the group home to continue taking care of me. I can’t leave out my two roommates: Laura Trujillo and Peggy Baldwin. I loved making them laugh!

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Comi Funeral Home from  3-6 p.m.

Funeral Services will be celebrated Wednesday, October 5, 2022, Holy Trinity Church with Rosary at 12:00 noon followed by the Funeral

Mass 1 p.m. Burial to follow at Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.

Thank you, nephews (pallbearers) for carrying me to my resting place: James Bernal, Chris Duran, Andrew Gomez, Joe Gomez, Matt Gomez, Chris Muniz, Joshua Sandoval, and Daniel Vigil. Also, my honorary pallbearers: are Linda Barrientos, Evan Gomez, Marsi Mason, Nick Martinez, and Janell Mestas.