Veronica Burrola

A rosary and vigil is scheduled for Friday, February 17, 2007, at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church. The mass of resurrection will be on Saturday, February 18 at 9:30 a.m. St. John’s. Fr. Juan Montoya, O.F.M., of St. John’s will officiate. Interment is to follow at South Park Cemetery. Reception will follow. A viewing will be held at Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 17. Veronica Salas Burrola, 83, passed away in her Roswell home surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Picacho, N.M., on November 4, 1923, Veronica along with her family moved to Roswell when she was an infant. Her parents, who are now deceased, were Francisco Anaya and Josefita Salas. The Anaya and Salas families were early pioneers of the Hondo Valley. The two families, like most of the earlier settlers of the area, had their origins in the northern part of the state. Following the War with Mexico (1846-1848), pioneer families from the Albuquerque area, known as the Manzanos, relocated along the lower Rio Grande Valley. Settlements quickly surfaced on both sides of the Rio Grande until reaching La Plaza Bonita, now known as Lincoln sometime prior to 1851. As the settlement grew in population, individuals branched out following the Rio Feliz and Rio Hondo. Crescencio and Lupita Vigil Salas, maternal grandparents, continued upstream and were one of the founders of Picacho. Jose Anaya, the paternal grandfather, moved further east where he established Los Anayas, known today as the Village of Tinnie. Both families established large ranches on their homestead grants until the Great Depression. Veronica served her country during WW II. She and her mother relocated to southern California shortly after the nation entered the war. Veronica, like more than 6 million American women, was anxious to serve her country. Her fiancé, Moises Burrola, was already serving in the South Pacific with the Marine Corps. She became a “Molly the Riveter.” The internationally known artist, Norman Rockwell gave America a war rallying cry with his famous portrait of a sandwich-munching, brawny, yet innocent looking woman in coveralls cradling a rivet gun in her lap and goggles pushed up into her head. The admiring tribute acknowledged women who entered the job force with the defense industry, taking positions in what was considered “man’s work.” We can envision Veronica’s stern look dressed in leather coveralls, hardhat with protective visor and rivet gun and welding rod in hand while suspended on a plank as she welded metal sheets to the exterior of destroyers. Following the war, Veronica and her mother returned to their home in Roswell. Upon Moises’ honorable discharge and his return to the city, they were married on December 20, 1945. Veronica dedicated her life to nurturing and caring for her children and sharing her life with the love of her life—Moises. They had seven children, the last three were the first surviving triplets born in the city. Dr. Earl Latimer, who delivered the three infants, proudly displayed their pictures in his practice until retirement. Veronica, in order to help her children through college, left the safe confines of her home to work at several jobs, including the local Levi Straus factory. She valued an education and stressed the importance of excelling to her children. She had completed only the third grade, being forced to care for younger nieces during hard economic times and the Great Depression. She wanted her children to advance their lives and avoid the hardships she had encountered. Moreover, improving the community and the nation were standards she demonstrated and passed on to her children. Service to others continued through most of her life. Veronica took special interest in the political arena as a means to bring about progressive changes that benefited her neighbors, Roswell and the state as a whole. She would volunteer to drive the elderly and those who lacked transportation to polling places so they could cast their wishes and hopes for a better life. To enhance an understanding on the issues of the times, she regularly hosted in her home neighbors and candidates for office such as the late U.S. Senators, Dennis Chavez and Joseph Montoya. She believed strongly in democracy and in advocacy to improve people’s lives. Between caring for her children and service to the community, she labored hours at end as the family and neighborhood seamstress. From patterns she would cut material and sew the pieces into clothing to help ends meet. Extended family members also would seek her out for their own projects. Veronica was a resident of Roswell for nearly 80 years. She was preceded in death by her husband Moises in 1989 and their infant daughter, Luisita, who died at birth in 1947. Her parents, Francisco Anaya and Josefita Salas as well as her in-laws, Ramon and Matilde Hurtado Burrola also preceded her. Deceased sisters and brother-in-laws include Rachel Salas, Lupe Bartlett and Bonne, Stella and Salvador Romero, and Porfidia Romero and Juan. Her only brother, Manuel Montoya also preceded her. Surviving are her daughters and husbands, Rachel and Patricio Espinoza Sr. and Rita and Raymond Lucero Jr. all of Roswell. Sons and their wives who reside in the city are Ray and Nancy Burrola, Rudy and MaryLou Burrola, Robert and Jan Burrola, and Roy and Cindy Burrola from Albuquerque. Veronica was blessed with 17 grandchildren—Andres Burrola of Denver; Reina Mia and her husband Juan Rascon of San Antonio, TX; Krystyna and Julia Burrola of Albuquerque; Roswellites are Marcos Burrola, , Moises “Dude” Burrola, Robert Burrola, Chris Burrola, Rita and her husband Jacob Villareal, Patricio Espinoza, Veronica Burrola, Sofia Burrola, Brittney Burrola, Lilly Lucero and Kiana Lucero. There were two additional grandchildren who are deceased, MiaRai and A-va Marie Lucero. There are 10 great grandchildren—Luke Burrola of Albuquerque, Ryan Rascon of San Antonio, TX, Tarren Burrola, Taymon Burrola, Jeremiah Burrola, Alexxis Burrola, Patricia Justine Villareal, Roman Burrola, Abigale Burrola and Aerailius Lucero all of Roswell. There are two great grandchildren on the way. Pallbearers are Veronica’s grandsons—Marcos Burrola, Andres Burrola, Dude Burrola, Robert Burrola, Chris Burrola and Patricio Espinoza. Honorary pallbearers include all the granddaughters Reina Mia Rascon, Rita Villareal, Veronica Burrola, Sofia Burrola, Brittney Burrola, Lilly Lucero, Kiana Lucero, Krystyna Burrola and Julia Burrola, great granddaughter Alexxis Marie Burrola and sons-in-law Patricio Espinoza Sr. and Raymond Lucero Jr. Also surviving Veronica are her beloved niece Betty Sedillo, family friend Willie Nunez, Sr., and many others nephews, nieces and cousins. The family extends special thanks to Angelica Rodriguez who cared for our mother during her last days, and to WellCare and Amanda Ganaway RN, to VistaCare and Cindy Humig RN and to the wonderful doctors and staff of Covenant Family Healthcare Center. We will never forget the caring and compassion given to Veronica. The family will receive family and friends at 806 E. Tilden. In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated to agencies that are working to find a cure for asbestos-related lung cancer. Arrangements are entrusted to Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory. An online register can be accessed at www.andersonbethany.com.

Veronica Burrola

November 4, 1923 - February 14, 2007