Natalie Celeste Romero

Natalie Celeste Romero was born in the Rocky Mountains of Durango, Colorado on October 3, 1980. She entered Heaven's gates on Friday, February 24, 2023, surrounded by family and friends. A loving sister, daughter, aunt, and social worker. Natalie enjoyed being around her friends and enjoyed her time with her students.

Natalie graduated from Mancos High School as Valedictorian and Prom Queen. Natalie graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with a Master's Degree in Social Work and gained friends that turned into a family that remained by her side. Over the years, she collected a large library of books and had always been an avid reader. She also loved to watch her Denver Broncos and enjoyed attending NFL games in Denver with her friends. Natalie loved to travel, from the warm beaches of Hawaii to the coast of Florida. Natalie loved singing and dancing at concerts, especially Christian concerts. Natalie enjoyed spending time in Utah and Idaho with the Hurtudo and Martinez Family. Natalie had an unwavering faith in God. She was a member of St. Rita's Catholic Church in Mancos, Colorado. She had become very involved in the Women of Faith Small Christian Community with her bible sisters, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates Millennium Scholars Program, and the National Catholic Student Coalition.

Natalie was preceded in death by her grandparents, Joe and Georgia Romero; her nephew, Nick Gallegos; brother-in-law, Steve Keller; and numerous family and friends. Natalie is survived by her mother, Betty Romero of Mancos, Colorado; sister, Danielle Romero-Keller of Mancos, Colorado; nephew, Kole Romero-Keller of Mancos, Colorado; niece, Americus Romero-Keller of Fort Collins, Colorado; niece, Alaena and Phillip Trujillo of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her cat, Rico; and her parrot, Nana. She is also survived by many family members, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that she loved and cared for.

A funeral will be held at a pending time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for monetary donations to be made to French Funerals or to Natalie Romero at the Dolores State Bank in Mancos, Colorado. The family gives everyone else who cared for Natalie their greatest gratitude and would like to thank them for loving Natalie unconditionally. Natalie was an absolute ray of sunshine, with a heart as beautiful as her infectious smile and laugh. Her selflessness and care for others was truly remarkable, always putting everyone else's needs before her own. She was the life of the party, a guaranteed source of fun and joy wherever she went. Her electric charisma was simply contagious, lighting up the room and bringing smiles to everyone's faces. Whenever you were feeling down, Natalie was there to lift you up and make you feel better. She was a true gem, a beacon of light in a sometimes gloomy world.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

A Rosary will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Mass at 1:30 p.m., at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1502 Sara Rd. Rio Rancho, NM 87124, with a reception to follow the mass.