Helen (Baca) Rodriquez

˜We the family of Helen (Baca) Rodriquez announce her passing on Thursday, January 20, 2011. Helen's passing was at her residence in Santa Paula, CA, surrounded by her loving family. Her sister Cora Marshall and family provided loving care during her nine month battle with lung cancer. Our Thanks go out to Cora for her compassion and much love to our sister.Helen was born to Emiterio and Manuelita Baca in Las Nutrias, NM. Helen lived life to the fullest and was always the belle of the ball. Her love of dancing was obvious as she danced till she could dance no more, sometimes in bare feet. Another one of Helen's passion was bingo, she would go as often as she could and enjoyed being with all her bingo buddies. Her sense of humor and her laughter will be missed by all who loved and knew her. She was also a member of the 1648 Women of the Moose in Belen, NM. Helen’s only wish when she learned she had lung cancer was to celebrate her life. In May most of her family went to California to do just that, with a dance much food and laughter we honored her and let her know that her life was what we were there to celebrate. Helen’s favorite color was purple. The color purple stands for individuals that are witty and sensitive with a strong desire to be unique and different. To celebrate Helen’s life her family will be wearing purple. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emiterio and Manuelita Baca; her son, Andrew Lee Serna, her brother, Isidoro (Lolo) Baca and her beloved pet dog, Baby. Helen is survived by her loving siblings, Trini Baca of Belen, NM, Patsy Pugh and husband, Jim of La Mesa, NM, Cora Marshall and husband, Bruce of Santa Paula, CA, Alfred Baca and wife, Cindy of Modesto, CA, Miquel Baca of Belen, NM, and Manuel Baca and wife, Brenda of Belen, NM; and a great-aunt, Lydia Lopez of Silver City, NM. She is also survived by many loving nephews, nieces, and cousins. Helen's journey began on January 20, 2011 but she believed that we will meet again. Her favorite saying was "Together or apart your always in my heart." A visitation will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, March 19, at 9:30 a.m. with a Funeral Service to be held at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Las Nutrias Catholic Cemetery. The family request that donations be made in Helen’s name to the Belen Senior Citizens Center, 715 S. Main Street, Belen, NM 87002 or (505) 864-2663. Sign Helen’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

Helen (Baca) Rodriquez

February 7, 2011