Elsie Sanchez Jaramillo

Our beautiful mother (about one month short of age 97) passed away on January 7th, 2026. She died of natural causes. Services will take place at Romero Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, February 22, 2026, beginning with a Visitation at 10:30 a.m., and a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m., Interment will take place at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens, on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.. Elsie was born in Belen, New Mexico, on February 22, 1929, to her parents, J.M. Willie and Manuelita Sanchez. The Sanchez family later relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Elsie was raised with her mother and father and eight younger brothers and sisters. Elsie met, fell head-over-heels in love, and eventually married her beloved, Henry Jaramillo Jr, on August 21st, 1950. The Lovely couple met in Santa Fe, where they both worked at the State Capitol. Elsie was employed as a secretary at New Mexico's ports of entry, and Henry was employed as a field auditor for the Bureau of Revenue when they met. They remained happily married and shared an exemplary, loving marriage for seventy-Five years. Elsie and Henry raised five children, Paulette, Judy, Eric, Eddie, and Cristina. Elsie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry Jaramillo, on August 20th, 2023, and two sons, Edward "Eddie" Jaramillo on May 29th, 2006, and Eric Jaramillo on August 18th, 2014. Elsie is survived by three daughters; Paulette, and her husband, Dennis Hale, Judy and her husband, Glen Haikin, and Cristina Jaramillo. She leaves behind seven grandchildren; Triana Burdick, Troy Hartman, Erica Montoya, James Jaramillo, Breanne Serna, Jenna Jaramillo, and Michael Jaramillo, as well as nine Great-grandchildren; Christopher and Lila Burdick, Ben, Damion, Stefon, and Mercedes Montoya, Isabel and Sofia Jaramillo and Brielle Cordova; four Great- great-grandchildren Benjamin Montoya IV, Anorah Montoya, Marie Montoya, Dalila Montoya, and over 50 nephews and nieces. Elsie is also survived by four brothers; Al Sanchez and his wife, Josie of Santa Fe, Ray Sanchez of California, Andrew Sanchez of Albuquerque and Matthew Sanchez of California. She is also survived by her sister Barbara Martinez of California and sister-in-law, Nury Jaramillo of Colorado. Elsie and her husband, Henry, were well known in the Belen community (and throughout the state) for their involvement in education, including the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University Foundation, and many other organizations. Elsie was devoted to her husband and children, whom she loved and cared for full-time with much devotion and support. She espoused so many values; love for God, generosity, love for music and the arts, and compassion. Elsie certainly was all about discipline, was a devout Catholic, believed in "cleanliness next to godliness" and in maintaining an impeccable reputation. She was also loved for her feisty spirit, her witty comebacks, and contagious laughter. Elsie was a voracious reader, a talented artist, and the penultimate homemaker. Though life presented many challenges and disappointments, Elsie felt abundantly blessed, especially by her family. Now she has joined those members of her family that had predeceased her. May her soul rest in eternal peace with those she loved and lost too soon. Dear precious mother, you will never be forgotten... until we meet again, dear mother. In lieu of flowers, please give an offering and prayer to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Shriners hospital for children.

Elsie Sanchez Jaramillo

February 22, 1929 - January 7, 2026