Josephine Montoya

A rosary is scheduled for 7 pm, Thursday, May24, 2012 at St. Johns Catholic Church for Josephine Nelson Montoya 86, who passed away Saturday, May 19, 2012 at her home. Funeral mass will also be at St. Johns Catholic Church at 10 am, Friday, May, 25, 2012 with Father Juan Antonio Gutierrez officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery.
Josephine Nelson Montoya was born in Roswell, NM on September 11, 1925. Her Father, Frank Nelson, came from Sweden and made his way to Ft. Stanton and Lincoln, NM in the early 1900s where he met and married Ramona Zamora Padilla. Eventually, they made their way to the booming town of Roswell in 1919. Josephine grew up on Stanton Street near St. Johns where their family name around the neighborhood was termed Los Sweesos. Josephine attended Roswell schools including Missouri Elementary, South Junior High, and Roswell High School she had a really cute Red White cheer to boot. She left Roswell during her high school years and moved to San Pedro, California where she worked in the Long Beach shipyards during World War II. Josephine eventually returned to Roswell in the early 40s and married Pete Trujillo Montoya after his return from the war. They made their home at 205 E. Van Buren Street never moved from this home and it still remains the family home.
Josephine worked as a nurses aid for many years at the old St. Marys hospital here in Roswell. During the span of her career as a nurses aide, she gave birth to and raised seven children. After St. Marys, Josephine worked as a care giver to many elderly or ill people in the Roswell area. She was known for her caring and loving demeanor with her patients. Dont be dismayed even though she had a big heart, she was not one to be doublecrossed...
In addition to her own children, she devoted much of her time and love to the rest of her family. She carried a reputation of always having more presents at Christmas time just in case someone showed up unexpectedly. She did have a shy side to her, but once she got to know you, there was no way of making her stop talking or joking around with you. At times you could find her talking piglatin with some of the family members that understood it. She could give you the family history or someones phone number by heart, and she never forgot to have ice cream and cake on her familys birthdays. She loved going to the casino, and although she was legally blind, she could push the buttons pretty good and was often lucky but not as much as Pat. She didnt play cards at the casinos, but she was the one who taught many of the grandkids how to play several card games, including poker, which she probably picked up from the Montoya side. She loved music and dancing one of her favorite songs was La Charanga, which she would dance up a storm with the grandchildren. She was famous for being the one to teach the kids and some of the grandkids how to drive or she would just load up the kids into the car and take them for a joyride around town or some parking lot...
Mom actually played a little softball in her younger years and was often called la Gueda by the spectators. She always had her kids involved in different types of activities including baseball, swimming, fishing, and crafts. She loved to travel In her early years, she would take the family on vacation mostly to Arizona or California. Even after going blind, Mother never turned down an enjoyable trip to Arizona, Louisiana, Colorado, the Dakotas, Washington state, or Texas..
Yup, Josephine was somewhat of a person and full of life. She gave unconditional love to her kids and cherished her family and friends. Her being the last of the Nelson clan, she reigned as our Matriarch for many years. She gave us 86 plus years of herself and hopefully left an inspiration to the people that she touched to live life to the fullest, to not let anything stop you from enjoying life, and to always Love your family.
Josephine was preceded her in death by her parents, her husband Pete T. Montoya, brother Frank Nelson, sisters Nestora Savedra, Sophia Gonzalez and Lucy Nelson, grandchildren Denise Morales, and Anna Lara and greatgrandchildren Chloe Lara and Elijah Romero.
Josephine is survived by her daughters, Virgie Romero and husband Eddie of Roswell, Jessie Carabajal and husband Chris of Las Cruces, Helen Ortega and husband Daniel of Roswell, Debbie Montoya Moore and husband Trent of Roswell and her sons, Pete R. Montoya and wife Diane of Las Lunas, Frank Nelson Montoya of Las Alamos, and Jerry Montoya of Roswell. Also surviving her are her grandchildren David Becerra, Eddie Romero, Jr., Greg Romero, Jeanette Otero, Renee Montoya, Danny Ortega, Jr., Jeanette Montoya, Michael Becerra, Jeffrey Ortega, Johnny Giron, Jason Montoya, Dominic Anaya, Vanessa Ortega, Jeremy F. Montoya, Joseph F. Montoya, Jeremy L. Montoya, Fernando Sanchez, Joshual Nunez, Valerie Lopez, Leticia Montoya, Bernadette Montoya, Eric Romero 45 great grandchildren, 5 greatgreat grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild on the way.
Pallbearers will be Eddie Romero Jr., David Becerra, Jeffrey Ortega, Renee Montoya, Jason Montoya, Bernadett Montoya and Trent Moore. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ruben Becerra, Della Quintanilla, Aurora Martinez
A special mention is made for the loving care given by Linda Moreno, Olga Fuentes, Wilma Reynolds of Comfort Keepers Sally Juarez and to Vista Care Hospice.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
8 to 7pm

Service

Rosary

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, May 24, 2012
7:00 pm

Mass

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
10:00 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203